Dutch football club PSV Eindhoven's Memphis Depay on Monday revealed that a conversation with Louis van Gaal convinced him to join Manchester United instead of Ligue 1 giants Paris Saint Germain.
PSV and the 'red devils' last week agreed upon a deal of 27.5million euros for winger Depay.
"I was really close to a transfer to Paris Saint-Germain, I know Manchester United were always interested but not concrete. In the last moment, they called my manager and of course I spoke with the trainer Louis van Gaal," Depay was quoted as saying by goal.com.
"It was a difficult situation, let me say that. But after I spoke with Louis van Gaal I said to myself 'I want to go to Manchester'.
"I'm really proud and I believe that I can be a big player for Manchester and give the people there everything I have," he said.
For PSV's final home fixture of the season, Depay signed off with a scorcher of a free-kick in a 2-0 win over Heracles and the 21-year-old promised to the same at the Old Trafford stadium.
"I train every day on free-kicks, the Manchester United fans can expect something from me in that area. If I get the chance to take free-kicks then I will shoot," he said.
Depay has been compared to compatriot and former PSV mid-fielder Arjen Robben and admits he wants go on and become one of the best players in the world.
"I know that people talk about me. I believe in myself and I hope I will be able to reach that level," he added.
"I will fight for it and will do my best in every training session to get better. I hope to become one of the big boys in the world, but there is still a lot needed. Now I must go and make the first step (at United)," he said.
