At the end of the world, Perisic: I am sad that I did not have a chance to win Manchester United, and now I just want to stay with Bayern for a long time

Ivan Perisic admitted it was "painful" to miss the "dream" of a move to Manchester United, but insisted he was happy with Bayern Munich and wanted to stay at the club.

Perisic went on loan from Inter Milan to Bayern for a one-season season, with Bayern entitled to sign him permanently at the end of the season.

However, the 30-year-old's career could have gone in a different direction two years ago, when United tried to lure him out of Serie A and as a result he turned down offers.

But Perisic said he was very anxious to move to Old Trafford when he spoke on the phone with Old Trafford manager Jose Mourinho and it was painful for him to miss the move.

"How close am I to the turn?" Very close. He told the athletic: "When Jose called me, it was an incredible thing for me. It's hard to say no to him. In fact, I really, really want to play for Manchester United with him. Playing in all the big leagues is my dream. But that didn't happen. It was painful for me. But I don't want to go into details. It took me two years to find out where I really went. ”

After losing star wingers Ribery and Robben, Bayern initially hoped to sign Le Roy Sane in the summer, but were forced to turn their attention elsewhere after The Manchester City star was injured.

Perisic, who signed as a substitute, has scored two goals in three Bundesliga appearances for Bayern, who are currently number one in the Bundesliga.

Although the former Wolfsburg and Borussia Dortmund player knows he is not the club's first choice, he believes he can impress at the Allianz Arena and sign a long-term contract with Kovac's side.

"We're talking about Bayern, one of the five best clubs in the world." "They always have three, four, five possibilities for every position they're interested in," he said. I'm not the first. Things happen very quickly. Everyone knows the story: after Sane's injury, the club contacted Inter Milan and then my agent. My family and I thought about it one night. Then I agreed. I believe in myself and I can convince the club to make my transfer permanent. This is my wish. I will do everything I can to achieve it. ”