Revealed - Why Louis van Gaal ended Man Utd’s shock summer deal to sign Liverpool target

Manchester United agreed a deal with Benfica for Nicolas Gaitan

MANCHESTER UNITED boss Louis van Gaal ended his interest in Benfica’s Nicolas Gaitan in the summer after setting his sights elsewhere.

 

That is according to Portuguese publication A Bola, who claim United had agreed a £22million fee with Benfica to sign the Argentina winger.

However, Van Gaal scrapped the deal and instead opted for the arrivals of winger Memphis Depay from PSV Eindhoven and striker Anthony Martial from Monaco.

 

Gaitan has long been linked with a move to the Premier League and even attracted interest from United’s fierce rivals Liverpool.

The 27-year-old wide man has remained loyal to Benfica when talking about his future, and reiterated his future to the Portuguese giants in the off season.

Louis van Gaal preferred Memphis Depay and Anthony Martial over Nicolas Gaitan

“I am well at Benfica,” Gaitan told Record. “I have a contract. “During the holidays they said I’d been sold, but today I’m here. It’s always the same story.”

Gaitan, who left Boca Juniors for the Estadio da Luz five years ago for £6m, has scored three goals and assisted six in all competitions this term.