Inter Milan midfielder Wesley Sneijder insists he never wanted to leave last summer. The Dutchman had been on the verge of a transfer to Manchester United over the summer and explained the situation to the Gazzetta dello Sport.

"I never wanted to leave Inter. 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."

Sneijder was also ready to walk away after Coach Gian Piero Gasperini struggled to squeeze him into the tactics.

"I immediately told Gasperini that I wouldn't like playing in midfield at all. 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."