Marquinhos admits that he was happy to field interest from Manchester United, but took Paris Saint-Germain's determination to keep hold of him as a big vote of confidence.
Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal was keen to add the Brazilian centre-back to his ranks in the winter transfer window, though PSG were unwilling to negotiate with the Red Devils.
For Marquinhos, PSG being so desperate to keep hold of him was pleasing, while so was interest from Van Gaal's men.
The former Roma defender told L'Equipe: "I stayed calm, focused. I let my agent handle it all.
"In principle, PSG refused to start negotiations. They closed the door and I took it as a vote of confidence.
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"It proves that PSG are counting on me.
"But to be honest, it made me happy to know that Manchester were interested in me. It's satisfying", Marquinhos concluded.
Van Gaal has been tipped to go back in for the Brazilian when the transfer window swings back open again this summer.
Marquinhos faces competition for a centre-back spot at PSG from two countrymen in the form of David Luiz and Thiago Silva, but remains highly rated by coach Laurent Blanc.
It remains to be seen whether PSG's stance over the defender could change in the summer, when they would have time to identify a replacement.
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