I wanted United, they didn't want me: Sneijder

Milan: Inter playmaker Wesley Sneijder has admitted that he wanted to join Manchester United as the Red Devils pursued him over the summer.

The 28-year-old Netherlands international said he was close to leaving the Italian club for a new life in England.

However, he believes the breakdown in talks was down to the Premier League champions stumbling before the final hurdle. His message comes just 24 hours after Sir Alex Ferguson said Sneijder was not the right man for his side.

"United? I would have liked to [join them]. It would be crazy to suggest otherwise," Sneijder was quoted as saying by the Corriere dello Sport.

"There was a moment when I was close to United, but in the end nothing happened.

"However, I am happy in Milan as the president [Massimo Moratti] did not want to sell me."

Yet despite seeing a potential big move fail, Sneijder is not feeling any side effects as he eyes an even brighter future at San Siro.

"Inter gave me a chance when the door was closed. I feel at home here and I never wanted to go.

"I don't know why my move to Manchester United never materialised, maybe they never really wanted me."

Inter travel to Palermo for the first Serie A game of the season on Sunday night, with kick-off at the Renzo Barbera at 20:45 (CET).