Wayne Rooney rejected an offer to join Beijing Guoan of the Chinese Super League last summer, according to the club's honorary chairman.
Luo Ning has revealed on a Beijing radio sports show that the club contacted Rooney and even met with his agent Paul Stretford before the start of the season, but their offer was quickly rejected.
Rooney, 31, has struggled for form this season as United have made an inconsistent start under Jose Mourinho and also lost his starting place in the England team last month.
But he returned to something like his best in Sunday's 3-1 win at Swansea City, setting up two of the goals.