United Wanted Brazilian Sensation

Paris Saint Germain new boy Lucas Moura says director of football Leonardo persuaded him to reject a move to Manchester United.

The 20 year old joined PSG earlier this month after a deal had been agreed with former club Sao Paulo for his services in August.

But Moura admits he could have joined United this month until last ditch talks with Leonardo convinced him to move to Ligue 1.

"Manchester United wanted me but I talked a lot with Leonardo and he convinced me," he told Telefoot TF1.

"It's an honor for me to play with [Zlatan] Ibrahimovic. I will learn a lot from this side."

"Lucas is a modest kid," his father Jorge Moura added. "He never lost his head and this is priceless."

Lucas was unable to make his PSG debut in their first game since the climax of the winter break in the French Cup against Arras, which saw Carlo Ancelotti's side prevail 4-3.

The Italian boss says that while the youngster wasn't fit enough for his debut on Sunday, he will bring plenty to the table for the Ligue 1 co-leaders.

"Some players aren't ready to play. For example, Lucas has had only three days of preparation and is not ready," Ancelotti said.

"He's fast, intelligent and plays it simple. This experience in Europe will permit him to become a fantastic player," he continued.

"He's used to playing wide but I think he can play in any of the attacking positions. To start with I will play him wide so as not to put him under too much pressure."

A move to United in the January transfer window would have been an uncharacteristic move for the 12-time Premier League champions, who have often refrained from making knee-jerk signing in the New Year, instead doing the majority of their work in the summer.

One of United's previous summer signings was Alexander Buttner, who was preferred ahead of Patrice Evra for the FA Cup third round trip to West Ham United.

The Dutchman has endured a slow start to his Old Trafford career, but fellow countryman and former striker Ruud van Nistelrooy has been impressed.

"Alexander has made a great start," Van Nistelrooy told ManUtd.com. "He needs a bit more time as he's definitely somebody for the future.

"He's been getting games in the Champions League. For him, it's a dream come true. He's got the ability and needs to learn to obtain more experience and he's definitely somebody to look out for."