Mauro Icardi declares that he wants to stay at Inter, even in the face of an interest by Manchester United.

The 22-year-old striker is one of the most valuable market assets owned by the Nerazzurri, and many believe he will be sold should the club not make it into next year's Champions League.

In an extensive interview with Il Corriere dello Sport, Icardi discussed his future in the transfer market as well as his relationship with Coach Roberto Mancini.

Mauro Icardi declares that he wants to stay at Inter, even in the face of an interest by Manchester United.

The 22-year-old striker is one of the most valuable market assets owned by the Nerazzurri, and many believe he will be sold should the club not make it into next year's Champions League.

In an extensive interview with Il Corriere dello Sport, Icardi discussed his future in the transfer market as well as his relationship with Coach Roberto Mancini.

“Before he came here I was a poacher who held to the box and tried to score when I got the ball,” he said. “Mancini asks me to play for the team, to move and take part in the game construction.

“This was an important change for me and I'm still working on absorbing it. I can improve even further.

“Mancini was clear when he arrived: 'You have to score 15-20 goals per season. If you score any more, all for the better.'

“People write that he keeps asking more from me, but it's normal that a Coach should motivate his players and ask them to give their all.

“I read somewhere that I'm allegedly angry with him because I was benched against Roma, Genoa and Milan. But that's not true. It's understandable to miss a few games over the course of a season.

“At first it's a bit disappointing when you don't get to play, but I told sporting director [Piero] Ausilio from the very beginning that there weren't any problems. There's a good rapport between Mancini and I.

“The penalty I missed in the derby? I'll be honest, I never rewatched it. In the following days I spoke with the Coach and my teammates, and frankly I think I shot it well.

“[Gianluigi] Donnarumma is a tall goalkeeper and I hit it hard because I was afraid he could guess the shot and deflect it. I angled the ball a bit too much and it hit the post.

“My captain's armband? I do feel the responsibility of leading the group, but we have many expert elements in the team and there's 7-8 captains here. When I have to talk or encourage my comrades, I don't hold back.

“[Stevan] Jovetic? I have a good relationship with him and we work for the good of Inter. Probably we have a different way of playing, because he likes to go back and meet the ball and play in possession, while I stick closer to the box.

“But it's not true that we have no spark together and that we can't play at the same time. You'll see, we're going to develop.”

Finally, Icardi touched on the issue of his contract and a possible transfer.

“When I was discussing an extension with the directors, I said very clearly that I wanted to stay. I had offers elsewhere, but it was clear to me that staying here was for the best.

“Wolfsburg and Manchester United? I heard something about their interest, but I want to stay with Inter.

“Even if United sign Jose Mourinho, my answer is always the same: I'm staying here. If they come looking, they won't be the first nor the last club I may turn down.

“I'm happy in Milan and I don't mean to leave. The club has a great project and is investing heavily to get winning again. I want to help.

“The team I'm fondest of is [Argentinian club] Newell's Old Boys, but even a few years ago, when playing the Playstation with an Italian friend, I selected Inter all the time because I liked her players.

“I have a bond with Inter and I'm happy to be part of it.

“My background in Barcelona? I had the sense that I was becoming a footballer when I came to Italy.

“In Barcelona they have a great youth sector, but few of those kids make it into the first team. I knew I had to change.”

Byandrea

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