Sadio Mane Discusses Missed Opportunity with Manchester United

Mane’s Reflective Insights

Sadio Mane has disclosed that he engaged in discussions regarding a transfer to Manchester United with then-manager Louis van Gaal a year prior to his eventual move to Liverpool.

Mane, 33, experienced a standout 2014-15 season at Southampton, where he netted 10 goals and recorded three assists across 30 appearances in the Premier League.

A Tempting Offer from United

In an interview with ESPN, Mane recounted the dialogue he had about a possible switch to Manchester United, revealing that the club’s existing array of attacking players made him hesitant about the move.

“At that time, Manchester United reached out to me, and I had a conversation with Van Gaal,” he shared. “Rooney was present, along with Di María and Memphis Depay. When they couldn’t secure my signature, they opted for Anthony Martial instead.”

Mane continued, recalling Van Gaal’s pitch: “He called me and asked, ‘Mané, how are you? What’s happening?’ He expressed interest in bringing me to Manchester United. I replied, ‘Really?’ and he confirmed that he did.”

Considering the Competition

During their discussion, Mane posed a crucial question: “With players like Depay, Rooney, Di María, and Van Persie in the squad, where would I fit in?” His desire to play regularly was a significant concern.

Van Gaal reassured him, saying, “I see your talent; you’re a strong player. If you train well and make a good impression, you’ll find playing time. But we also have other talented players.”

Despite the manager’s encouragement, Mane felt uncertain: “I wasn’t fully convinced by his reasoning. I spoke to the coach, who assured me I could play if I performed well. However, I felt I needed more support at that stage of my career. I was still young and inconsistent during my time at Southampton.”

Reflecting on the Decision

Ultimately, Mane acknowledged that he wasn’t quite ready for such a commitment at that juncture: “I needed another year or two to develop into the player I aspired to be. At that moment, staying at Southampton seemed like the best choice.”