Wesley Sneijder on real reason he rejected Man United, Liverpool

For years, Wesley Sneijder was a name linked to a potential move to Manchester United during almost every transfer window.

The persistent rumors constantly paired the Dutchman with the English club, much like Nicolas Gaitan, Ezequiel Garay, and Sergio Ramos during the same period. However, a transfer to Old Trafford never materialized for Sneijder.

In 2021, Sir Alex Ferguson stated that Manchester United was “never interested” in signing Sneijder and expressed his confusion regarding the source of those reports. However, Sneijder recently revealed that he was on the verge of joining United 12 years ago during his peak form.

The former Ajax midfielder enjoyed tremendous success, winning a historic treble with Inter Milan and helping the Netherlands reach the World Cup final in 2010. Sneijder stated that a deal with Manchester United was “close” after his impressive performances in the UEFA Champions League and the World Cup.

He further explained that he later discovered his agent had scuttled the move by demanding more money, which ultimately led to the deal falling apart. Sneijder revealed that Ferguson had informed one of his relatives about the situation.

Liverpool’s 2013/14 Squad

Sneijder also had another opportunity to move to the Premier League in 2013 when Liverpool expressed interest. However, he ultimately chose to sign for Galatasaray, believing they had a better chance of winning silverware. Another contributing factor to his decision was his preference for enjoying the Christmas period without having to play matches.

The talented playmaker possessed excellent vision, passing ability, and a lethal long-range shot. However, he also gained a reputation as someone who enjoyed partying and consuming alcohol, particularly during his time at Real Madrid, where he made 62 appearances and scored 11 goals.

In his autobiography, the 39-year-old discussed his struggles with alcohol, which he had seen as a means to cope with personal difficulties. Sneijder acknowledges that these issues affected his mental well-being and hindered his potential to reach an even higher level in his career.

Reflecting on his time at Madrid, he expressed regret over his divorce from his first wife and how his excessive alcohol consumption led to injuries and a decline in his performance, ultimately resulting in his departure from the club.

Despite the setbacks, Sneijder believes that leaving Madrid turned out to be a blessing in disguise. He went on to achieve remarkable success at Inter Milan, playing a key role in their triumph in the 2009/10 season under the guidance of Jose Mourinho. Sneijder finished fourth in the Ballon d’Or rankings that year, behind only Lionel Messi, Andres Iniesta, and Xavi.

While many felt Sneijder deserved the prestigious individual accolade, he personally prioritized winning the Champions League over individual honors. He appreciates the fact that fans still express outrage over his omission from the award, as it reminds him of the impact he made during that period.

Sneijder’s revelations provide a deeper understanding of the events that transpired during his career, shedding light on the missed opportunity with Manchester United and the personal struggles he faced along the way.