Arsenal loanee Mathieu Debuchy confirms Arsene Wenger blocked January move to Manchester United

Mathieu Debuchy has confirmed he had the chance to join Manchester United in the January transfer window, but Arsene Wenger blocked the moved and sent him to Bordeaux instead. The France international also admitted disappointment in the Arsenal manager, after the French boss failed to fulfil his summer promise of more game time this season.

The 30-year-old full-back fell out of favour last season following the emergence of academy starlet Hector Bellerin and made just two Premier League appearances during the opening half of the campaign this year. He was linked with moves to relegation battlers Aston Villa and Sunderland during the January window, as part of a drive to increase his chances of making Euro 2016.

But on deadline day he moved instead to the Ligue 1 outfit, amid a backdrop of Wenger rejecting a late approach from Manchester United. Louis van Gaal's team were desperate to boost their options in the position due to a raft of defensive injuries.

"Yes, at the end of the transfer window [United] came in," Debuchy confirmed to Canal +. "They contacted my agents. I was disappointed, obviously. If I had the chance to go to Manchester United it would have been magnificent.

"Unfortunately it wasn't the case. I discussed it with the coach too, who said that obviously he couldn't help out a rival."

The Frenchman admitted he was impressived by Bellerin's breakthrough into the Gunners' first team, but questioned Wenger's handling of the situation.

"Yes, he [Bellerin] is good. I can't deny it, that's sure, but I thought I could also fit in as a starter. But that's the way it is," Debuchy said.

" I'm a little bit annoyed by [Wenger]. It's his choice [not to give me playing time]. I came back well this summer, I had a good pre-season.

"I was able to talk to him to know my future at Arsenal. He said that I would have game time and that we would discuss it in December. Unfortunately, I didn't have this game time."