Dimitri Payet reveals why he turned down Manchester United transfer

Former West Ham United star Dimitri Payet has opened up on why he rejected the opportunity to join Manchester United in 2017.

Former West Ham United attacking-midfielder Dimitri Payet has revealed that he turned down the opportunity to join Manchester United in favour of returning to Marseille back in January 2017.

The Frenchman, who scored a stunning Goal of the Season contender in Marseille's 2-1 win over PAOK Salonika in the Europa Conference League last Thursday, left West Ham in controversial circumstances. He refused to play for the club at the beginning of January, despite not being injured, and was determined to force an exit from the club.

The Hammers made it clear that they had no intentions of selling the playmaker and wanted Payet to apologise to the supporters to put the matter to bed. However, the now-35-year-old had no desire to stay at the club, resulting in a £25million bid from Marseille being accepted just two days before the transfer window closed.

READ MORE: Erik ten Hag demands for Manchester United job have sent reminder of the Glazers' biggest mistakes

That was enough for Marseille to re-sign him, less than two years after they had sold him to West Ham for a fee north of £10m. However, the Frenchman has now admitted that interest in his signature at the time was rife, so much so that United were amongst those looking to secure his talents.

"I'm not someone who lives with regrets," Payet said, appearing on RMC Sport show Le Vestiaire. "I made a choice, which was not just related to football but it was to family, to come back to Marseille.

"There were other clubs, big clubs. There were Manchester United and others.

"It was a personal and family choice. I think it was the best for me and my family."

Payet, who turned 35 last month, racked up 60 appearances during his time at West Ham, scoring 15 goals and racking up 23 assists. Four of those 23 assists came against United, whilst he scored once against the Reds - an iconic free-kick in an FA Cup tie at Old Trafford in March 2016.

Sign up to our United newsletter so you never miss an update from Old Trafford this season.