Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder has revealed why he turned his back on Manchester United delivering another blow during a troubled week for Alex Ferguson.
The Dutch international was touted as the ideal replacement for retired Old Trafford legend Paul Scholes.
But a frustrated Ferguson did not get what he wanted during the summer transfer window as they haggled over his wage demands.
However, Sneijder insists that he always wanted to remain at San Siro putting a lid on the long-running transfer saga.
Sneijder's proposed move to the Premier League champions was one of the most drawn-out sagas of the summer with a £35 million move seemingly on the cards.
However, after much speculation, the Dutch star remained at Inter and he has told Gazzetta dello Sport what actually happened.
“I never wanted to leave Inter," Sneijder said. "Over the summer they called me and said, I think due to a financial issue, that I could be leaving Italy.
"This made me change my ideas a little bit, but once I got to pre-season training everyone made me feel important to this club.”
The 27-year-old also revealed how he was ready to quit Inter when former coach Gian Piero Gasperini started playing him out of position.
“I immediately told Gasperini that I wouldn’t like playing in midfield at all," he added. "I’d prefer to be a second striker than in midfield. Ranieri realised where I have to be on the pitch, as I prefer providing assists to scoring goals.
“Ranieri is a very good coach and he talked to me the same way that Jose Mourinho did, but let’s not beat around the bush. Mourinho is the best.”
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