Manchester United are confident of a deal for PSV Eindhoven winger Memphis Depay. The Sunday Mirror says United have told PSV Eindhoven that they are prepared to meet their asking price of £25million for Depay, a 21-year-old goal-scoring winger.

That is too rich for Liverpool, who were prepared to go to £20m for a player they have been courting for the last 18 months.

Louis van Gaal has exploited his close friendship with PSV technical director Marcel Brands to ensure United beat Liverpool to Depay's signature.

Brands worked closely with Van Gaal when he was in charge of AZ Alkmaar, and the United boss made it clear that his current employers would meet Depay's valuation when fears began to grow that their bitter rivals from Merseyside were closing in.