Liverpool legend Sadio Mané reveals that he was close to joining Manchester United
Manchester United could have secured one of the Premier League’s most dynamic forwards almost a decade ago, as Sadio Mané recently disclosed that he came close to signing for the club. Speaking on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel, he explained that Louis van Gaal personally phoned him during his Southampton days to express interest.
The Dutchman praised his talent and suggested that regular involvement would depend on his training and performance. However, Mané was unconvinced by the explanation. He questioned how he would fit into a squad featuring Wayne Rooney, Memphis Depay, Ángel Di María, and Robin van Persie, as he wanted guaranteed playing time rather than be part of a potential rotation.
The former Southampton and Liverpool winger reflected that, at that stage of his career, he lacked consistency and possibly maturity, and suggested he needed guidance and more time to develop. While Van Gaal assured him that hard work would lead to opportunities, the assurance did not persuade him.
“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.’ Okay, now I’m talking to my agent.
“[Van Gaal said], ‘We’ll see what is the 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.
“And then I said, ‘Okay, so my question: you have Depay, you have Rooney, you have Di Maria, you have Van Persie … so where am I going to play?’ That was my question, because I want to play.
“He said, ‘I know your talent, you’re good. But if you do good training, a good impression, you will play. But we have another player who is also good.’ I was not convinced about his explanation.
“But at the time, I was not ready, 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 in Southampton, I was not consistent. And then we said, ‘Okay, we’ll see.’”
The revelation highlights how close United came to securing him, but hesitation from both sides prevented the deal from materialising. Ultimately, he moved to Liverpool in 2016, and that decision determined his trajectory instead, proving pivotal to his growth.
What did the Red Devils possibly miss out on?
Manchester United
Sadio Mané reflects on how close he came to joining Manchester United before choosing Liverpool in 2016.
The Red Devils were not able to sign a forward who later became one of the most important players in English football. The Senegal international could have strengthened United’s wing play with his pace, directness, and constant threat.
Moreover, the former Liverpool man has been a relentless presser in his career, and that, along with his clinical finishing, with his willingness to take on his full-back and run in behind the backline, would have made him a big threat for a club which has struggled for quite some time.
The Senegal international became a cornerstone of the project under Jürgen Klopp and kept producing consistent high-class performances. Mané also helped the Merseyside club win the Premier League and the Champions League.
Had he played for the Old Trafford-based club, he would have brought a big-game mentality and accelerated their progress back to the elite levels. It is a hypothetical scenario, but given his performance in the Premier League, it is certain that he would have been a massive boost to the Red Devils.