Valencia attacker Nani has revealed how he was blocked from joining Barcelona while with Manchester United.

Nani has battled for form with Valencia and featured in defeat to Real Madrid on Saturday.

He recalled to AS: "An interest of Real Madrid when I was with Manchester United? Sincerely, I do not know. I never heard anything about Real Madrid.

"But on the other hand I heard about an interest from FC Barcelona. Barça called me, but Manchester United did not want to sell me."

Nani added: "We are professionals and we must play with pleasure, passion and respect. It has been a tough season for Valencia and every match serves us to show that we can be better than we have been before."