Photo: Reuters

Jose Mourinho tried to sign Willian twice from Chelsea, but the Blues refused selling the winger to her bitter rivals.

Chelsea boss Antonio Conte preferred Pedro ahead of Willian last season, with Willian starting only 15 games, but the Brazilian has admitted he never thought of leaving Chelsea despite his unhappiness at not starting games.

“I had contact with Manchester United but I was not close to leaving,” Willian told UOL.

“Of course, sometimes you get upset that you’re not playing. ‘But that doesn’t mean you do not like the club or the people who work there.”