Paddy McNair says Jose Mourinho only wanted him to leave Manchester United on loan, but he asked for a permanent switch.
The Northern Ireland defender joined Sunderland from United in the summer along __with Donald Love in a combined £5.5m deal, __with both 21-year-olds penning four-year deals at the Stadium of Light.
N Ireland vs S Marino
October 8, 2016, 7:30pm
Live on
McNair has since made five Premier League appearances for the Black Cats, also scoring both goals in the 2-1 win over QPR in the EFL Cup, and the youngster insists it was at his request that he left Old Trafford for good.
"For me I just wanted to play more and play more first-team games and stay in the Premier League," McNair told Sky Sports News HQ. "I spoke with a few Championship clubs and a few in the Premier League but when I spoke to David Moyes I wanted to go.
"I spoke to Mourinho and he wanted me to go on a loan deal but I was adamant I wanted to go on a permanent.
"I'm just happy that he supported me and let me do what I wanted to do."
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McNair is part of the Northern Ireland squad for their upcoming World Cup Qualifiers against San Marino on Saturday and Germany on Tuesday, both live on Sky Sports.
Germany vs N Ireland
October 11, 2016, 7:00pm
Live on
Meanwhile, Sunderland return to league action on October 15 against Stoke City, looking to secure their first win in the top flight under Moyes.
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