Arturo Vidal: Bayern Munich midfielder nearly joined Manchester United last summer

Arturo Vidal says he turned down Manchester United to sign for Bayern Munich in a £28m move from Italian giants Juventus last summer. Chilean midfielder Vidal, 28, is likely to start for Bayern in their Champions League round of 16 showdown with Juventus in Turin on 23 February.

"Yes, there was a chance to come to England," Vidal told The Times. "It was last summer, and at one point, we thought that is what would happen. I liked the opportunity that they had offered me, but eventually it did not happen and I chose to come to Bayern.

"There are always many teams around that go to my agent."

'Right decision'

United signed midfielders Bastian Schweinsteiger and Morgan Schneiderlin last summer but also saw the likes of Angel Di Maria and Robin van Persie leave the club. The Red Devils have endured a difficult season since then and are currently fifth in the Premier League, 12 points behind leaders Leicester City.

Louis van Gaal's side crashed out of the Champions League in the group stages and were beaten 2-1 by Danish side Midtjylland in the Europa League round of 32 first leg on 18 February. And Vidal feels he made the right decision to join Pep Guardiola's side.

"I wanted to come to a team this strong and to a project that is so ambitious," the Chile international stated. "I feel very happy. It helped that I knew what the country was like and what the people were like.

"We are better, me and my wife and my children. Life is good, very calm. We are starting to feel more comfortable."

Meanwhile, Juventus midfielder Paul Pogba says he is looking forward to facing Vidal in the Champions League. "We know all about Arturo's quality — he is very dynamic, he runs a lot and he can score at any moment," the 22-year-old told Uefa's website.

"He is very skilful, he can play a great final ball, so he is a complete player; everyone knows it. We will work in training on stopping him and the other Bayern players."