PADDY McNAIR has revealed he had to beg Jose Mourinho to allow him to make a permanent move to Sunderland, with the Manchester United boss initially only wanting him to leave on loan.

McNair moved to the Stadium of Light in a £4.5m switch from Old Trafford earlier this summer, with David Moyes having identified him as a leading target at an early stage of his Wearside reign.

The pair worked together during Moyes’ time in charge of Manchester United, and McNair has made five Premier League appearances this term as well as scoring both goals in Sunderland’s EFL Cup third-round win over QPR.

He signed a four-year deal when he moved to Wearside, although the transfer was only able to go through after he made a personal plea to Mourinho.

“I went on (Manchester United’s) pre-season tour (of China), and after I spoke to Jose Mourinho, he said to me he would like me to go out on loan,” said McNair, who is currently on international duty with Northern Ireland ahead of tomorrow’s World Cup qualifier with San Marino.

“I had a think about it when I was out on the pre-season tour, and even a little bit when I was at the European Championships. I never wanted to go on loan. I was adamant I wanted to go on a permanent move.

“I spoke to Mourinho for a couple of weeks, and basically persuaded him to let me go on a permanent deal.

“I see too many players go out on loan that don’t play. You’re never their player – it’s a loan. I just wanted to go to Sunderland and play in the Premier League every week, and that was my thinking behind it. I’ve no regrets.”

Last season, McNair played in Manchester United’s back four under Louis van Gaal, but the 21-year-old has always regarded himself as more of a midfielder.

That is the role he has been playing under Moyes, with the Sunderland boss keen to make the most of the youngster’s attacking abilities, which were showcased to impressive effect at Loftus Road.

“I’m not a defender, I’ve never been a defender,” said McNair. “I filled in there a few times. Van Gaal played me there and I was happy to play there for him, (but) in the back of my mind I always thought, ‘No, this isn’t my position – I know I’m a midfielder’.

“I don’t play in defence any more, I’ve not played in defence in ages. I read people still calling me a defender, but I play in midfield for club and country.”