Speaking to Dutch magazine Nusport, which has been picked up by press in Italy, the 27-year-old insisted he was happy in Italy.

“If Inter aren’t the best club in the world then they’re second,” he said.

“I wasn’t unhappy about (United’s interest), I would be mad to say otherwise.

“For a moment I was closer to joining United (than staying) but in the end nothing happened.

“It was a very different situation to when I was at Real Madrid.  They wanted to sell me but here they didn’t.

“I’m happy in Milan and with the president (Massimo Moratti) who  didn’t want to sell me.

“Inter gave me a chance when I was going nowhere and I haven’t forgotten that.

“I feel at home at Inter and I have never wanted to leave. I don’t know why the transfer to United didn’t materialise, maybe they didn’t want me enough.” 

Sneijder is starting his third season with Inter having been bought from Real after they signed Cristian Ronaldo and Kaka.

Sneijder tried hard to stay in Madrid but eventually accepted a transfer to Inter when the Spaniards made it clear he wouldn’t play if he stayed.

All summer he was linked with moves to Manchester United and Manchester City despite both clubs denying any interest in him.