'Big mess' – Alex Ferguson's assistant tells Man Utd target to snub transfer

Sir Alex Ferguson’s former assistant Rene Meulensteen believes Netherlands star Cody Gakpo should reject a move to Manchester United this summer and has called the club’s transfer policy a ‘big mess’.

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Erik ten Hag has welcomed Casemiro, Lisandro Martinez, Tyrell Malacia and Christian Eriksen to Old Trafford this summer, but still wants to bolster his squad before the transfer deadline.

United, who recovered from two defeats at the start of the season to stun Liverpool last week, have expressed interest in signing PSV winger Gakpo.

The 23-year-old has made 142 appearances for the Dutch side and earned seven caps for Netherlands.

Meulensteen, who helped Ferguson win three Premier League titles, told Algemeen Dagblad: ‘Manchester United’s transfer policy is a big mess.

‘They’ve been chasing Frenkie de Jong for so long, that didn’t go through. Then they wanted Adrien Rabiot, that didn’t work either. Marko Arnautovic didn’t either.

‘They are still trying to get Antony and Cody Gakpo, but I also have my doubts about that.

‘Those guys are fantastic in the Eredivisie, but that is no guarantee that they can continuously make a difference here.

‘If I were Gakpo, I would say, “thank you for the honour but I’m staying with PSV”. I would say to him: “boy, there are more clubs coming… at PSV you had the chance to play Champions League, you’re on that [path]”. At the moment I’m not sure about Manchester United.’

Former Manchester United striker and PSV manager Ruud van Nistelrooy discussed the speculation linking Gakpo with a move to Old Trafford earlier this week.

‘I think I am very relaxed about the situation,’ the United legend said in his pre-match press conference ahead of PSV’s Champions League play-off second leg against Rangers.

‘There have been rumours about him since the beginning of the season almost eight weeks ago. And we have not seen Cody changing his behaviour up to now.

‘There were rumours over the whole period, and I admire that a lot in him. He is working on his development on a daily basis, playing in games and reaching his level.

‘He is not distracted, he is focused on the games he has to play and focused on tomorrow’s game with his teammates. For a young guy like him it is special to see that attitude.’

‘It’s obvious [we want him to stay]. As long as he’s a PSV player he’s here. That’s what I’ll focus on and him as well. There’s no if or what ifs. He’s a PSV player until further notice.’

Manchester United continue their Premier League campaign on Saturday with a trip to St Mary’s to face Southampton.

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