The Barcelona midfielder Cesc Fábregas has admitted he was "flattered" by Manchester United's interest in him last summer.
David Moyes wanted to make Fábregas his first marquee signing but United failed with two bids of £26m and £30m and the Barcelona midfielder remained at the Camp Nou.
Fàbregas has since found a new lease of life under Gerardo Martino and it appears the 26-year-old does not have any regrets about deciding to stay in Spain.
"It's always flattering when a club like Manchester United talks very well about you and you can see they want you," the Spaniard told the BBC's Football Focus. "But I'm going through an amazing moment now.
"I'm playing every week and I feel very important to the team. I'm very happy right now. This season I have felt more like myself, with more freedom and more secure with the way I like to play. It's not easy when you know you have to convince many fans how good you are and how good you can be for the team.
"The manager has trusted me and given me what I needed. I'm probably going through my best spell here."
Moyes was looking to sign a central midfielder again in January and signed Juan Mata for a club record £37.1m.
Fábregas did not expect Chelsea to let Mata go to a team who are historically regarded as title rivals. "I was surprised to see Juan move there because I think he has been Chelsea's best player over the last two years," he said.
"He's produced some amazing performances as they won the Champions League, Europa League and FA Cup and he scored in the final of the European Championship with Spain."
Barcelona said that Neymar had recovered from an ankle injury and would be available to play against Rayo Vallecano on Saturday, meaning he will be fit for the Champions league tie at Manchester City on Tuesday.
The Brazil striker has missed eight games since injuring his right ankle in a Copa del Rey match at Getafe on 16 January.