Miranda Explains Decision To Stay At Atletico Madrid Despite Manchester United Approach

Atletico Madrid centre-back Joao Miranda has claimed he decided to stay in La Liga another season due to family reasons – even though some reports earlier in the summer claimed he was very close to joining Manchester United.

The Brazilian international was indeed said to be Louis Van Gaal's first choice to lead the back-line following the departures of Rio Ferdinand and Nemanja Vidic.

Several Spanish newspapers reported in June Miranda even had agreed personal terms to move to Old Trafford after the Premier League giants offered him three times his current salary – while the player himself then confirmed his intention to move away.

"I have some offers and we are negotiating. I have offers from Spanish and English leagues and from some less important ones too. My agent is in Europe to decide my future, my buy-out fee at Atletico Madrid is €30m but that can be negotiated," Miranda then explained.

However, the deal was said to have collapsed as United refused to meet his £24m release clause while Atletico also rejected to negotiate a cut-price deal.

But asked now if the reasons he stayed in La Liga were because Atletico didn't receive any convincing offers, he said: "It was better for me and for my family to stay where we are."

"I am happy being a Rojiblanco. I love Madrid as a city and Atlético is a great club," Miranda said during an interview with AS.

"It's normal (there are speculations) when footballers are at clubs who are successful."

Meanwhile, Miranda addreses the Atletico summer overhaul following the departures of all Filipe Luis, Diego Costa and Thibaut Courtois to Chelsea.

"I think the team has reinforced well in every position. I'm happy that Tiago's back. And Siqueira is a player who is at the same level as Filipe. All of the new signings are going to bring a lot of happiness to the fans. We have the same dynamic in defence as before and we'll only keep getting better the more games we play."