Ander Herrera has claimed that Manchester United vice-chairman Ed Woodward and the Old Trafford board forced his move to Paris Saint-Germain by being ponderous to resolve "differences" with the midfielder.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was keen to keep the Spaniard at Old Trafford and had encouraged the club's hierarchy to ensure that Herrera's contract was not allowed to run down at the end of the 2018-19 season.
The 29-year-old, who made 189 appearances in five years and won United's player of the year award in 2017, had also been vocal in his desire to stay at a club where he felt a special bond with Red Devils fans.
Herrera completed a lucrative switch to PSG following the end of his contract, joining the wealthy Ligue 1 champions on a contract worth around £300,000 a week.
Speaking to Spanish sport newspaper Marca, Herrera revealed: "I don't like looking at the past but there were differences regarding the project and my importance within it.
"I was very happy. I have a lot to thank the club for - the fans and also Solskjaer. He did a lot for me to stay, but things didn't happen. They arrived late and, by then, I'd already made the decision to play in Paris."
Solskjaer's attempts to rebuild an underachieving United squad have begun in earnest ahead of the Norwegian's first full season in charge, following up the £18m signing of Swansea City starlet Daniel James with the capture of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace for £50m.
