Manchester United: Arjen Robben reveals reasons for Memphis Depay to reject Liverpool

Arjen Robben has revealed that Memphis Depay had rejected a move to Liverpool owing to the Reds not being in the Champions League and for the additional lure of Louis van Gaal, with whom the forward had worked during the 2014 World Cup.

Robben was arguably Netherlands' best player during at the World Cup held in Brazil where they finished third in the tournament, after bowing out in the semi-finals to Argentina. Depay played an important part in their progression and the Bayern Munich man reckons that Van Gaal can lead United to title glory this season, if the other recruits can bed into his philosophy.

The Red Devils have won their opening two games by a slender margin and have made their way into the group stages of the Champions League following a 3-1 win over Club Brugge at home. Depay was the star of the show, scoring two goals and should have had a hat-trick when he blazed Wayne Rooney's layoff over the bar from inside the penalty box.

"He can become one of the top players in the world at Manchester United," Robben said, as quoted by the Mirror.

"He is already at such a high level, but playing at one of the biggest clubs in the world he will get even better. Manchester United will want to get back to winning trophies, and he will be a big part of that.

"I know that there was ­Liverpool and Manchester United ­interested in him, but it was an easy decision for him. There would have been no reason for him to join a club not playing in the Champions League, and Louis van Gaal is one of the best coaches in the world," he added.

"Memphis can become the complete player under his ­[Van Gaal's] guidance. It will not be easy, it never is when there are so many new players to settle him, but I think Louis could win the league with Manchester United this year.

"It's his team now, his players, and if the new signings settle quickly, I think it's possible," the Dutch player concluded.