Jim White: 'Mehdi Benatia turned down Manchester United for Bayern Munich'

Bayern Munich defender Mehdi Benatia has claimed that he turned down a move to Manchester United in favour of the German giants, according to Sky Sports News presenter Jim White.

The 27-year-old was repeatedly linked with a move to the Premier League in the summer, with Chelsea and Manchester United reportedly eager to sign the Moroccan international.

According to White, who met with Benatia in Germany, the centre-back was close to linking up with the Old Trafford outfit, but chose the Bundesliga instead.

Medhi Benatia told me it could have been Man Utd but he's happy with life in Munich. Solid game against Leverkusen pic.twitter.com/E3TaR6J8vz

— Jim White (@JimWhite) December 7, 2014

Bayern are at the summit of the German top flight with 36 points from 14 games.