Milan: Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder claims he did not join Manchester United this summer because Real Madrid coach Jose Mourinho told him to stay at San Siro.
The 27-year-old Netherlands international has admitted that he spoke with the Premier League side over a move to Old Trafford after the Italians considered selling him.
However, the transfer was never forthcoming and Sneijder admits Mourinho influenced his decision.
"Mourinho called me and he told me to stay. He has an Inter heart and he has always told me to remain," Sneijder told La Gazzetta dello Sport.
"I am happy to have stayed because I never wanted to leave and so I no longer want to speak about Manchester United."
Outlining how the talks evolved, Sneijder said: "My agent called me and told me Inter wanted to sell. I spoke with Manchester United, but then the Eto'o sale started and so things changed."
Agent Kia Joorabchian has claimed that Manchester City attempted to offer Carlos Tevez to Inter in exchange for Sneijder.
"Manchester City? I don't know anything about this. I am happy at Inter," he said.
"I have a contract until 2015 and I want to respect it."
Inter play Palermo next Sunday and Sneijder is likely to feature for the Netherlands against Finland in Tuesday's friendly international.
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