Ander Herrera has claimed that football was “not considered the most important thing” at Manchester United during his time at the club.

Herrera called time on a five-year stay at Old Trafford this summer and joined Paris Saint-Germain on a free transfer when his United contract expired.

The Spaniard accused United of moving too late on a new deal, which led him to believe that he would not play an important part in the club’s future if he stayed.

In an interview with French football magazine So Foot, Herrera has said that he was also unconvinced that the club’s culture was fully focused on football.

“I was happy at that incredible club,” the 30-year-old said. “I am very grateful to the supporters.

Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Show all 11 1 /11 Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Sergio Romero - 7 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Sergio Romero of Manchester United in action during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Manchester United and Partizan at Old Trafford on November 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by John Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) John Peters Manchester United via Getty Imag Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Aaron Wan-Bissaka - 7 Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka vies for the ball with Partizan's Slobodan Urosevic, right, during the Europa League group L soccer match between Manchester United and FK Partizan at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Dave Thompson AP Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Harry Maguire - 7 epa07979894 Manchester United's Harry Maguire (L) in action with FK Partizan's Umar Sadiq (R) during the UEFA Europa League group L soccer match between Manchester United and FK Partizan held at Old Trafford in Manchester, Britain, 07 November 2019. EPA/PETER POWELL . PETER POWELL EPA Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Marcos Rojo - 7 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Marcos Rojo of Manchester United in action with Umar Sadiq of Partizan Belgrade during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Manchester United and Partizan at Old Trafford on November 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) Matthew Peters Manchester United via Getty Imag Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Ashley Young - 8 Ashley Young congratulates Marcus Rashford after scoring United's third Getty Images Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Scott McTominay - 7 Manchester United's Scott McTominay leaves the field with an injury during the UEFA Europa League Group L match at Old Trafford, Manchester. PA Photo. Picture date: Thursday November 7, 2019. See PA story SOCCER Man Utd. Photo credit should read: Martin Rickett/PA Wire Martin Rickett PA Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Fred - 7 Soccer Football - Europa League - Group L - Manchester United v Partizan Belgrade - Old Trafford, Manchester, Britain - November 7, 2019 Manchester United's Fred in action with Partizan Belgrade's Seydouba Soumah REUTERS/Andrew Yates ANDREW YATES REUTERS Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Juan Mata - 7 MANCHESTER, ENGLAND - NOVEMBER 07: Juan Mata of Manchester United in action with Sasa Zdjelar of Partizan Belgrade during the UEFA Europa League group L match between Manchester United and Partizan at Old Trafford on November 07, 2019 in Manchester, United Kingdom. (Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images) Matthew Peters Manchester United via Getty Imag Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Marcus Rashford - 8 Partizan's Nemanja Miletic vies for the ball with Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, right, during the Europa League group L soccer match between Manchester United and FK Partizan at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Dave Thompson AP Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Anthony Martial - 9 Manchester United's French striker Anthony Martial celebrates scoring their second goal during the UEFA Europa League Group L football match between Manchester United and Partizan Belgrade at Old Trafford in Manchester, north west England, on November 7, 2019. (Photo by Oli SCARFF / AFP) (Photo by OLI SCARFF/AFP via Getty Images) OLI SCARFF AFP via Getty Images Manchester United ratings vs Partizan Mason Greenwood - 8 Manchester United's Mason Greenwood, center, runs celebrating after scoring the opening goal during the Europa League group L soccer match between Manchester United and FK Partizan at Old Trafford Stadium in Manchester, England, Thursday, Nov. 7, 2019. (AP Photo/Dave Thompson) Dave Thompson AP

“Frankly, I was immensely happy in Manchester, but at the club, there were times when I felt that football was not considered the most important thing.”

Herrera refused to clarify what he felt “the most important thing” was at United. “I do not want to compare, all I know is that here [at PSG], I feel like I’m breathing football on all sides. And I like it.

“I cannot talk about what was happening in previous seasons because I was not there, but since I’m here, what I see is that I’m in a club that think only and exclusively about football.”

Ed Woodward, United’s executive vice-chairman, told investors in a September conference call that the club is and always has been fully committed to achieving success on the pitch.

“We remain focused on our plan of rebuilding the team and continuing to strengthen our youth system, in line with the philosophy of the club and the manager,” Woodward said.