Manchester United are set to miss out on yet another transfer target after it was confirmed Cody Gakpo has agreed to join Liverpool when the January transfer window opens.
PSV confirmed in a statement on Boxing Day that the 23-year-old will complete a switch to Anfield after Jurgen Klopp's side hijacked Manchester United's move for the forward. The Reds fended off interest from United, Arsenal and Leeds United for the Netherlands ace, who scored three times at the World Cup.
Erik ten Hag has been a long-standing admirer of Gakpo after the striker netted 21 goals in 47 appearances last term, and he has backed up those numbers this season by totting up continuing to post good numbers. After a move to Old Trafford came close in the summer, it is Liverpool who are going to get the deal over the line for the Dutchman.
This isn't the first time the Red Devils have been snubbed by proposed transfer targets after a number of players rejected the chance to move to Manchester in the summer. In fact, Gakpo now makes it number six. So, with that in mind, here are the five other players who refused to join United after being linked with a move.
Frenkie de Jong
United's pursuit of Frenkie de Jong dragged along all summer, but the Dutchman decided to stay at Barcelona after he rejected the chance to join the club.
The 25-year-old rose to prominence at Ajax under Ten Hag, who was keen to reunite with the playmaker at Old Trafford. However, the Dutch international chose to stay put at the Catalan giants, where he has scored twice in 17 games so far this season.
Did Frenkie de Jong make the right decision by staying at Barcelona? Let us know in the comments below!
Malcolm Ebiowei
Having impressed for Derby County last season, there were a number of Premier League clubs interested in a move for Malcolm Ebiowei in the summer, and United were one of them.
Erik ten Hag saw the teenager as one for the future, but Ebiowei decided to opt for Crystal Palace instead. However, the winger has not made a Premier League start for the Eagles during his time at the club so far.
Jurrien Timber
Jurrien Timber was another player that Ten Hag was keen to reunite with in England after the 21-year-old played a starring role in Ajax's Dutch league title success last year. But Timber was reluctant to follow his old boss to the Premier League - leaving Ten Hag stunned.
It was believed Timber felt the move was too big a risk at that stage of his career, with his priority on playing as many minutes as possible before the World Cup. As it happens, United signed Lisandro Martinez, who has hit the ground running in Manchester.
Benjamin Sesko
Benjamin Sesko emerged as a target for United in the summer amid the chaos surrounding Cristiano Ronaldo, after he expressed his desire to leave the club. However, the 19-year-old decided to make the switch to RB Leizpig instead after United saw bids rebuffed by Red Bull Salzburg.
Kevin Trapp
Before Martin Dubravka made the switch to United on deadline day in the summer, Kevin Trapp was lined-up as a target. However, he revealed that he had turned down an offer from the Red Devils to stay at Frankfurt. He said on Instagram back in September: "There has been a lot of talk about Manchester United's interest in recent days.
"It is true that there is a written offer. Manchester United is a global club and I hope everyone can understand that I am considering and thinking about an offer like this. Yesterday, however, I informed those responsible at both clubs that I had decided on Eintracht. I experienced unforgettable things here with Frankfurt and we made history together. The start of the season was bumpy, but I have absolute trust in us."
