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Dimitri Payet opens up on rejecting Man Utd after West Ham and France heroics

Dimitri Payet has revealed the reason behind rejecting Manchester Untied in 2017 when the Frenchman as starting for West Ham and France - instead moving to Marseille

Payet was one of Europe's most exciting players in 2016
Payet was one of Europe's most exciting players in 2016(Image: GETTY)

Dimitri Payet has opened up about why he turned down the chance to join Manchester United in 2017.


For a brief period, Payet was once of Europe's most exciting talents as he showcased his wand of a left-foot for West Ham and France - at Euro 2016. However, when Payet eventually left the Hammers it was for French side Marseille.


Speaking to French-outlet RMC Sport, on their show Le Vestiaire, Payet said: “I’m not someone who lives with regrets. I made a choice, which was just as much related to football as it was to family, to come back to Marseille.


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"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 was born on the French island of Reunion just off the coast of Madagascar, spent two years with Marseille between 2013 and 2015. However, after a successful spell with the Hammers, Payet elected to return to the port city in 2017, where he has stayed.

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At 35, Payet is currently experiencing his best season in front of goal for Les Olympiens, and the third-best of his career.

Would you like to have seen Payet at Old Trafford? Let us know in the comments section

Marseille's French midfielder Dimitri Payet celebrates scoring a goal during the Europa Conference League quarter final match between Olympique de Marseille (OM) and PAOK Saloniki at the Velodrome stadium in Marseille, southern France on April 7, 2022. Nicolas TUCAT / AFP (Photo by Nicolas TUCAT / AFP) (Photo by NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
Payet is currently experiencing his best goalscoring season in a decade(Image: NICOLAS TUCAT/AFP via Getty Images)
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Marseille are currently the best of the rest as PSG continue to run away with the Ligue 1 title.

Payet's 10 goals have helped Marseille climb to second in the French rankings, narrowly ahead of Stade Rennes and a surprising RC Strasbourg.

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