Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had made it a clear aim to strengthen his defence this summer after his side finished sixth in the Premier League last season and conceded 54 goals in the process – their highest total in 40 years.
Meunier had been linked with a move to Old Trafford and despite the club signing Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace for £50m, the defender would have likely been given minutes as United were looking to offload two right-backs in the transfer window.
Former United club captain, Antonio Valencia, was released after his contract expired in June and Italian full-back Matteo Darmian joined Serie A side Parma before the European transfer deadline.
However, Meunier insisted that while PSG were happy to allow him to leave, there were various reasons for the break down in talks with other clubs.
“It was an intense period, with a lot of interests, discussions,” he told Belgium publication RTBF.
“I could have left but it was not done because it was from the club or from me, there were discrepancies.
“Everything was not 100 per cent together for it to work.”
The 27-year-old has entered the final 12 months of his contract with the Ligue 1 champions and although he admitted he would lie to sign a new deal and stay in Paris, the fact that he has fallen down the pecking order at the club could also become a factor in the defender deciding to leave.
“I have always said that I wanted to stay in Paris,” he added.
“I still have one year of contract and I was hoping, moreover, I still hope, an extension of contract.
“But the situation becomes a little more complicated because I am no longer the priority to my position but I remain professional.
“I feel good there and we will see what will happen during the season.”
And with Euro 2020 coming up soon, the Belgian international has not ruled out making a move away from the club in January, he did reveal a preference for moving clubs during the summertime.
“I already spoke with the coach, we are aware that the year will be complicated but I always thought that leaving in the middle of the year was a bad idea,” Meunier said.
“I think that the clubs that transfer in January are clubs that, for me, act in haste.”
“I have the impression when transfers in January are not thoughtful transfers but rather a question of necessity rather than envy. So for me a transfer in January is no, even if I spend the first months on the bench.
“It’s the life of a professional player. There are very positive times and others a little less.
“And this is the first time in my career that I’m dealing with a situation a little more complicated than the others.”