Manchester United boss Louis van Gaal: 'I stopped Memphis Depay signing for Paris Saint-Germain'

Louis van Gaal says he has to speak to the Memphis Depay personally

Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal has revealed that he personally had to intervene to stop Memphis Depay signing for Paris Saint-Germain.

The United boss, who secured a deal for the 21-year-old from PSV Eindhoven on Thursday, insists he did not want to sign Depay or any other player before the end of the season, but was forced to step in the winger on the verge of joining the French 1 champions.

Van Gaal admits his strong personal relationships with PSV's hierarchy allowed him permission to speak to Depay personally and convince him to move to Old Trafford.

Speaking in his pre-match press conference ahead of United's clash with Crystal Palace, which is live on Saturday Night Football on Sky Sports 1HD, Van Gaal confirmed: "I have been forced to sign him.

"I didn't want to sign him before the end of the season because we have to focus on our games. When you sign a player you disturb the focus of your present group of players. 

"The coming matches are very important for all of the players. But because of the market, I had to handle it, otherwise he would have signed for Paris Saint-Germain.

"When he was about to sign for PSG he had not been reached by me. I don't want to speak with players before the season is over. I have a feeling towards my players.

"But because of the close relationships that I have with the management of PSV, I could handle it."

Van Gaal was subsequently asked whether managers are increasingly forced to step in personally to secure transfers, especially among Europe's top clubs.

But the Dutchman said: "No it has always been like that. I don't think there's a difference now.

"It is only because of the media, and social media, that you can read everything and you cannot ignore that. But because of that I have to handle and manage it."

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Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers denies interest in Memphis Depay

PSV's technical director has claimed Liverpool were interested in Depay

Liverpool manager Brendan Rodgers has denied the club were ever in for Memphis Depay, despite PSV Eindhoven stating the contrary on Friday.

The Eredivisie champions' technical director, Marcel Brands, confirmed to Sky Sports News HQ that Liverpool wanted the 21-year-old but the player preferred a move to Manchester United, which was agreed between the clubs on Thursday.

But speaking his pre-match press conference ahead of their clash with Chelsea on Sunday, which is live on Sky Sports 1HD, Rodgers said: "It wasn't something we were ever interested in. We already have four wingers at the club and have other priorities.

"He's obviously a very talented young player but we have Raheem Sterling, Jordan Ibe, Adam Lallana and Lazar Markovic in those positions. We're well covered, especially on the left-hand side."

Brands, who is responsible for the Dutch club’s recruitment, has said the Dutch international wanted to move to Old Trafford to re-join Louis van Gaal, who managed him with the Netherlands at last summer’s World Cup.

Brands said: “Liverpool contacted us and talked with the player. They were also one of the clubs interested but at the end Memphis had the final decision and he chose Manchester United.

“United contacted us a few weeks ago but the direct actions to the club and the player were in the last days and it moved very quickly.

“Louis played a big part in the decision. I worked with Louis for four years myself and I know he was very happy with Memphis after the World Cup and had a lot of confidence in him.

“He is the right coach for Memphis because he’s great with young players who can learn a lot.”

Sky sources understand Depay, who was the Eredivisie’s top-scorer as PSV won the title, has agreed a four-year deal with an option of a further year for a fee believed to be in the region of £25m.

Chelsea v Liverpool, Sunday May 10, Sky Sports 1HD, 3.30pm

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September return for Sturridge

Daniel Sturridge: Will miss the start of the season

Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge is likely to be out until at least September as he recovers from a hip operation.

The 25-year-old England international underwent surgery in New York on Tuesday in an attempt to cure a number of related problems with his thigh and calf which have restricted him to just eight Premier League starts this season.

"We anticipate that Daniel will be back, hopefully to train around about September," said manager Brendan Rodgers.

"Obviously it is long period of time out but we hope the problem and issues have been resolved with the operation.

"We hope he is available to train in September and then it is about getting his fitness in."

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Liverpool striker Daniel Sturridge to miss start of next season

Daniel Sturridge has had an injury ravaged season at Liverpool

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers has confirmed that striker Daniel Sturridge will miss the start of next season after hip surgery.

The Reds boss said: "We anticipate Daniel will be back training around September time. We are hopeful issues he's had have been resolved."

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'Liverpool have not contacted us about Georginio Wijnaldum', say PSV

Georginio Wijnaldum has scored 46 goals for PSV since 2011

PSV Eindhoven’s technical director Marcel Brands insists they have not had any contact from Liverpool over Georginio Wijnaldum and they are not looking to sell the midfielder.

Liverpool have been linked with a move for the 24-year-old Netherlands international alongside their pursuit of Memphis Depay – the PSV winger who opted to join Manchester United instead on Wednesday.

Brands, who is charge of the Dutch champions’ recruitment, told Sky Sports News HQ: “We have not had any contact with Liverpool about Wijnaldum.

“We hope to keep the rest of the team together now because we are playing in the Champions League next season. I hope we don’t have to sell any other players.”

Wijnaldum signed for PSV from Feyenoord in 2011 and has made 128 appearances, scoring 46 goals.

He has 18 caps and two goals for the Netherlands.

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Memphis Depay chose Manchester United over Liverpool, insists PSV director

Memphis Depay snubbed Liverpool because he preferred a move to Manchester United, PSV’s technical director has confirmed.

Marcel Brands, who is responsible for the Dutch club’s recruitment, has told Sky Sports News HQ that the 21-year-old Dutch international preferred a move to Old Trafford to re-join Louis van Gaal, who managed him with the Netherlands at last summer’s World Cup.

Brands said: “Liverpool contacted us and talked with the player. They were also one of the clubs interested but at the end Memphis had the final decision and he chose Manchester United.

“United contacted us a few weeks ago but the direct actions to the club and the player were in the last days and it moved very quickly.

“Louis played a big part in the decision. I worked with Louis for four years myself and I know he was very happy with Memphis after the World Cup and had a lot of confidence in him.

“He is the right coach for Memphis because he’s great with young players who can learn a lot.”

Sky sources understand Depay, who was the Eredivisie’s top-scorer as PSV won the title, has agreed a four-year deal with an option of a further year for a fee believed to be in the region of £25m.

Brands has backed the PSV academy graduate to succeed under Van Gaal and praised Depay's talents.

Brands said: “For sure he will fit in at United because he’s a real winner. He’s a boy from our youth academy but his character is a boy from the streets.

“He wants to be the best and will go for that goal at United, so they should be pretty happy with a fantastic boy and a fantastic player. He never looks nervous. He likes the pressure and a big audience, and he plays his best in those conditions.

“He made the last steps from the highest youth team to the first-team very fast, only over a few years, and also into the national team. He’s physically strong for his age, fast, and has tremendous technique. He practises his free-kicks daily and works hard.”

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