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Manchester United's move for Wesley Sneijder was one of the biggest sagas which never materialized during the recently concluded transfer window. Although there were claims that it was the player's wage demands which killed the move, Snejider has now revealed that former Inter manager Jose Mourinho had advised him to stay in Italy.

Mourinho, currently managing Real Madrid, had led Inter to a treble in the 2009-10 season, winning the Champions League, Serie A and Coppa Italia. As is the case with all clubs he manages, he formed strong bonds with his players and Sneijder admitted that Mourinho had advised him to remain at Inter.

The Dutchman also admitted that the Premier League champions, Man United, had contacted him during the summer.

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.

Inter were willing to sell Sneijder and the player went on to speak with Manchester United. But once Inter team-mate Samuel Eto'o was sold to Anzhi Makhachkala, Inter were unwilling to sell another key member of their squad.

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. the 27-year-old explained.

However, despite the player's claims that he would remain in Italy, fresh rumours have surfaced that a move to Old Trafford could be possible when the transfer window re-opens in January.