Cesc Fabregas Wasn't Interested in Manchester United and Is Happy at Barcelona

Cesc Fabregas has moved to clarify his future by insisting he never contemplated leaving Barcelona for Manchester United.

The Red Devils spent a large portion of the summer courting the Spain international, with talk of £40 million bids in order to tempt Barcelona into selling the midfielder.

There were suggestions that Fabregas contemplated making the move to Old Trafford, with Crunch Sports carrying quotes from the player saying he was unhappy with the rotation policy of Barca coach Tata Martino.

Despite the speculation, the transfer window slammed shut with Fabregas still a Barca player—leaving United extremely frustrated at failing to land their target.

Fabregas has not looked back, as in the seven Liga games he has started, he's weighed in with six assists and one goal—per WhoScored.

The Liga season cranks up a gear on Saturday with the first Clasico of the campaign.

Fabregas has been a busy man this week, with the player conducting a host of interviews. He has talked about a range of subjects, and in a piece by the Mail’s Pete Jenson on Saturday, he commented on the summer transfer talk.

And Fabregas has made it clear he never thought about making the move. He said: 

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It’s true that they had offers and they told me about them but the only thing in my head was staying at Barcelona.

I saw the stories and I spoke with Darren [Dein, his agent] and he said, 'What do you want to do?' I know that if a club come in for you and you tell your representative that you want to go, then you go. All that’s missing is that the club accept the offer. It’s easy. 

But at no time did I say that I wanted to go. It was clear in my mind that I wanted to succeed at Barcelona.

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Fabregas also spoke to the Guardian’s Sid Lowe. He claims to have no regrets and is loving life under Martino.

"The season's started brilliantly," Fabregas said. "This coach lets me play the way that suits my qualities and I'm very comfortable, very happy."

Gareth Bale is sure to be in the spotlight in his first Clasico. He’s had a stuttering start to life at Real Madrid on account of injuries.

Fabregas feels Bale’s performance will be dictated by the shape of the game. He told Lowe:

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A lot depends on how Madrid want to play. If Madrid want the ball, he'll find it more difficult because he won't have the space in front of him; the opposition will close up defensively and sit deep.

But if they're not going to have so much possession and they break well, as they did with [Jose] Mourinho, it'll suit him.

Over the last few years, Madrid's opponents have thought: 'We've got the ball,' they grow in confidence, they move up the pitch and, bang, a counterattack and it's a goal. Bale will enjoy that.

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Despite Real having the attacking talents of Bale, Cristiano Ronaldo and Angel Di Maria, Fabregas insists Barcelona will not change their style to counter the threat.

He said: “Barca have to play like Barca. If we lose we have to lose playing like Barca and when we win we win like Barca. That's something I've learnt since returning."

It's shaping up to be a special Clasico, and it could be a game Manchester United boss David Moyes watches with a tinge of sadness.