Sadio Mane has revealed he turned down a move to Manchester United when he left Southampton.
Instead, Mane went to Liverpool and played a huge role in the Reds’ success under Jurgen Klopp.
Mane signed for Liverpool from Southampton in 2016, with the Reds paying £36 million to sign the forward.
The Senegal international went on to score 120 goals in 269 appearances for Liverpool in all competitions, winning the Premier League, FA Cup, EFL Cup and Champions League during his six-year spell on Merseyside.
However, Mane could actually have ended up at Liverpool’s fierce rivals, United.
“Manchester United then called me,” Mane said, as quoted by ESPN. ‘I was talking [Louis] van Gaal.
“[Wayne] Rooney was there. And [Angel] Di Maria was there. And [Memphis] Depay was there. When they couldn’t get me, they bought [Anthony] Martial.”
And Mane explained that he turned down United because he felt his opportunities would be limited.
Mane added: “Van Gaal called me and he said, ‘Mane, how are you? What are you doing?’ He said: ‘I want you to come to Manchester United.’
8 – Sadio Mané has scored at least ten goals in all eight of his Premier League campaigns; it is the most seasons a player has played in the league and achieved double figures each time. Departure. pic.twitter.com/s6lso9xHXW
— OptaJoe (@OptaJoe) June 22, 2022
“[Van Gaal said] “We’ll see what’s best because I know you’re a good player and you can help the team, and we can also help you become better players.”
“And then I said, ‘Okay, so my question: you have Depay, you have Rooney, you have Di María, you have [Robin] van Persie. “So where am I going to play?” That was my question, because I, I want to play.
“He said: ‘I know your talent, you are good. But if you train well, make a good impression, then you will play.’
“I wasn’t convinced by his explanation. I spoke to the coach but he told me that if I’m good I will play; if not…
“But I wasn’t ready at that time, I can say. I was young. I still needed someone to help me more. And one or two more years to become what I want to be.”
“Because I was still at Southampton; I wasn’t consistent.”
Now at Al-Nassr, Mane also confirmed that he had been approached by Tottenham before his move to Liverpool.
He said: “I had a meeting with Tottenham. At the same time [Mauricio] Pochettino called him [my agent] and he said: ‘I want Sadio to come to Tottenham’s training ground.’
“And then a week later I go to Tottenham’s training ground. I see the facility, I meet the coach, I talk to him and I was more convinced than the Man United project.”
“Because Man United’s problem was that there were too many big players.”
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