Sane opens up about a failed Manchester transfer
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Reading Time: 3min | Fri. 21.11.25. | 14:27
United called the Senegalese forward while Van Gaal was in charge
Everything in Sadio Mane’s career progressed naturally: he was excellent at Salzburg, excellent at Southampton, and then he reached a crossroads where he had to choose among offers from top clubs. The Senegalese forward ultimately chose Liverpool, where he left a huge mark, but he revealed in an interview for ESPN that the first club to knock on his door was Manchester United. However, then–Red Devils manager Louis van Gaal failed to convince him that Old Trafford was truly the Theatre of Dreams for him.
“Manchester United called me that time. I was talking to van Gaal that time. Wayne Rooney was there. And Angel Di María was there. And Memphis Depay was there. When they failed to get me, they bought Anthony Martial. Van Gaal called me and he said, "Mane, how are you? What are you doing? I want you to come to Manchester United". I said, "Really?" He said, '"Yeah". I said, "OK. Now I'm talking to my agent". Van Gaal said: ‘We'll see what is best, because I know you're a good player and you can help the team, and we can help you also to become a better player. But we have another player which is also good". I was not convinced about his explanation. I talked to the coach, but he told me that I will play if I'm good. But at the time, me, I was not ready, I was young. I still needed someone to help me more. And one or two more years to become what I want to be. I was still in Southampton. I was not consistent. And then we said, "OK, we'll see" Mane revealed on ‘Rio Ferdinand Presents’.
Mane admitted that at that moment he did not feel good enough to win a place in the team given the competition there. Then, that year, Tottenham came knocking on his door.
“I had a meeting with the people from Tottenham, and at the same time Pochettino called my agent and told him: ‘I want Sadio to come to us.’ A week later I visited the club, toured the training center, spoke with the coach, and they were much more convincing than Manchester United”. In the end, Sadio went to Liverpool — and he didn’t make a mistake.
ENGLISH PREMIER LEAGUE ROUND 12
Saturday
15.30: (7.00) Burnley (4.30) Chelsea (1.53)
18.00: (1.67) Bournemouth (4.20) West Ham (4.80)
18.00: (1.95) Brighton (3.80) Brentford (3.90)
18.00: (2.15) Fulham (3.35) Sunderland (3.80)
18.00: (1.42) Liverpool (4.85) Nott.Forest (7.00)
18.00: (3.90) Wolverhampton (3.45) Crystal Palace (1.98)
20.30: (3.65) Newcastle (3.85) Man.City (2.00)
Sunday
17.00: (3.05) Leeds (3.25) Aston Villa (2.40)
19.30: (1.45) Arsenal (4.70) Tottenham (8.00)
Monday
23.00: (1.80) Man.Utd. (3.70) Everton (5.00)
****odds are subject to change
