Memphis Depay's decision to choose Manchester United over Liverpool was motivated by the chance to work again with manager Louis van Gaal, according to PSV Eindhoven technical director Marcel Brands.
United have confirmed Depay as their first signing of the summer window, with the 21-year-old set to complete his move to Old Trafford in June after undergoing a medical.
Both Liverpool and Paris Saint-Germain have been heavily linked with a move for Depay, who has netted 21 goals for Dutch champions PSV this season, but Brands says the chance to link up with former national team boss Van Gaal proved to be too great a temptation.
"Liverpool contacted us and talked with the player," he said. "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."
Though Liverpool have previously been confirmed as one of the clubs interested in a move for Depay, United faced late competition from PSG before a late intervention completed the deal.
"I was forced to handle [the situation] as a manager because otherwise he was going to PSG, that's why I had to sign him and we've done it within one day," Van Gaal admitted on the deal.
The move to United sees Depay link up with the former Netherlands manager, who handed the player his international debut in 2013 before including him in his World Cup squad, which saw him score in the wins over Australia and Chile.
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