Navas almost joined United as part of an exchange deal with David De Gea on Aug. 31, but Real were not able to complete the paperwork in time.
The Costa Rica international went on to enjoy a memorable season at Madrid, ending his campaign with a penalty shootout victory in the Champions League final.
But it could have been a different path had the 29-year-old -- who joined Madrid from Levante a year earlier after an impressive World Cup -- been sold as intended.
"It's not good when something like that happens, but I'm not someone who is always looking back and I don't bear any grudges," Navas told Marca. "All I saw was that God had given me the chance to fulfil my dream, which was to play another year with Los Blancos and win titles.
"The night of August 31 was a bitter pill I had to swallow, but it's already forgotten and everything is lovely."
Navas opted against a trip to the Copa America with his country this season in favour of undergoing surgery on an ongoing Achilles injury. And the goalkeeper revealed that he was suffering with the problem for much of the season.
"I got used to the pain and was controlling it, but it hurt a lot when I played," Navas said. "When I went for tests I took the decision to go under the knife because it was better for my health.
"It was a difficult year and, although I worked through the pain, it wasn't recommended. At the end of the season, they had to sort out the problems."
De Gea signed a new contract at Manchester United soon after the proposed move to Madrid fell through and went on to be named the club's Player of the Year for a third season in a row.
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