Former Hammers star Dimitri Payet has made a huge new Man United claim to prove he told West Ham the truth all along.
Payet is one of the best players to have graced West Ham and is still wowing football fans at the grand age of 35 with Marseille.
He was making headlines with West Ham against the likes of Manchester United during a mesmeric 18-month spell Hammers fans will never forget.
Who can forget that free-kick against Man United at Old Trafford or pulling the strings in the legendary 3-2 win over the Red Devils in the last ever game at West Ham’s beloved Boleyn Ground.
Payet’s sudden departure in January 2017 sullied his name with many West Ham fans who had adored him.
The French wizard effectively downed tools to force a return to Marseille five years ago.
And it came just months after he was made one of the highest paid players in West Ham’s history and received a £1million loyalty bonus payment (Telegraph).
Reports at the time revealed how Payet suddenly completely cut himself off from his teammates to force through a £25m return to Marseille.
West Ham captain Mark Noble confirmed as much when speaking to fellow West Ham academy graduate and Man United legend Rio Ferdinand recently for his YouTube show Vibe with Five.
There have been several rumours as to why Payet left West Ham ranging from family problems to feeling the club reneged on promises to be ambitious in the transfer market.
Until very recently Payet had maintained radio silence on the matter since leaving West Ham back in 2017.
But the brilliant playmaker finally broke his five-year silence on the real reason he left West Ham in an interview with L’Equipe as translated by Get French Football News last month.
“I left West Ham more for family reasons than sporting ones,” Payet insisted in an interview with L’Equipe, as translated by Get French Football News.
Some fans were still sceptical, though, saying they feel ‘family reasons’ is a convenient get out clause.
But now Payet has made a huge new Man United claim to prove he told West Ham the truth about his reasons for leaving.
Speaking on RMC Sport show Le Vestiaire, Payet revealed that he turned down a move to Manchester Untied when he was leaving West Ham in favour of a return to Marseille.
And Payet says that decision to turn down the mighty Man United proves he went back to France for family reasons and not any issues with West Ham.
“I’m not someone who lives with regrets,” Payet said on RMC Sport show Le Vestiaire.
“I made a choice, which was not just related to football but it was to family, to come back to Marseille.
“There were other clubs, big clubs. There were Manchester United and others. It was a personal and family choice. I think it was the best for me and my family.”
The way Payet handled his departure will never be acceptable. But at least now any West Ham fans still bitter about the saga can get some closure.
As for Man United fans there will surely be a huge sense of regret that move did not happen.