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Sneijder rejected Manchester United's offer so he could play in Champions League

Michael Kooren / Reuters

A mid-week Champions League clash against Arsenal is one of the main reasons Wesley Sneijder rejected Manchester United's bid to sign him in the summer.

Sneijder says United manager Louis Van Gaal had expressed an interest in bringing him to the Premier League before the summer transfer window closed, but he rejected the offer so he could play Champions League football with Galatasaray.

"Louis (Van Gaal) is one of the most intelligent men in football - and I knew of Manchester United's interest in the summer.

"It was flattering - but I am very happy in Turkey - and it is very hard to leave Champions League football," Sneijder told, via The Daily Mail.

Sneijder played under Van Gaal during the 2014 World Cup in Brazil with the Netherlands, and might have reunited with Dutch manager if United didn't miss out on Champions League contention when the club finished a disappointing seventh in the Premier League standings last season.

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