The Costa Rica goalkeeper was due to board a plane to Manchester to finalise a move with the Red Devils, with De Gea going the other way, but a breakdown in communications between the two clubs led to the deal collapsing.
In the days that followed the closing of the transfer window on August 31, Madrid and United issued contrasting statements, absolving themselves of blame for the failure to complete the transfer, pointing the finger at the other party.
Navas and De Gea remain at their current clubs, with the Spain international goalkeeper subsequently signing a new four-year deal at Old Trafford.
And the former Levante goalkeeper, speaking to Spanish radio station Cadena COPE, revealed that the events caused considerable emotional strain as he was close to boarding the flight.
"[deadline day] Was one of the worst days of my football career," Navas said.
"I cried when the transfer window was closed, near my wife. I'm human and everything exploded. I was waiting in the airport even without suitcases. I was not on the plane, but I was near".
The 28-year-old also indicated that he never wanted to leave the Santiago Bernabeu but he felt hurt that the club was prepared to sign a goalkeeper to replace him.
"It was as a complicated situation," he added. "I wanted to play, and to watch how others [De Gea] play above me is difficult to interpret. At 19:00 CET my agent says me 'you have to take a plane' and I was waiting in a room.
"The contract arrived too late. My agent reviewed it and was correct. I didn't want to go. I did the medicals in Valdebebas after that and I did not return to the airport.
"There was no time. Then I went to home. It was complicated. I arrived at home and I started to cry."
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