Senegal star Sadio Mane has revealed he came close to signing for Manchester United after holding direct talks with then-manager Louis van Gaal, a year before he eventually joined Liverpool.

The 33-year-old, now playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Saudi Pro League side Al Nassr, had just enjoyed a breakout 2014/15 Premier League campaign at Southampton, scoring 10 goals and delivering three assists in 30 matches.

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Speaking on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, the former Liverpool forward disclosed that Manchester United contacted him in the summer of 2015, but he was unsure he would get enough playing time ahead of the club’s attacking stars at the time.

“Manchester United called me that time. I was talking to Van Gaal,” Mane said.

“Rooney was there. Di María was there. Depay was there. When they failed to get me, they bought Martial.”

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Mane recounted how Van Gaal personally tried to convince him.

“Van Gaal called me and said, ‘Mané, how are you? I want you to come to Manchester United.’

“I told him, ‘OK, but you have Depay, Rooney, Di María, Van Persie… so where am I going to play?’”
According to Mane, Van Gaal insisted he would earn his place through strong training performances, but the young winger felt unconvinced at the time.

“I was not convinced about his explanation,” he admitted.

“I was young and still needed someone to help me more. I was not consistent yet at Southampton.”

The move eventually faded, and a year later, Mane signed for Liverpool, where he became a key figure in Jürgen Klopp’s team, winning the Premier League, Champions League, FA Cup and Club World Cup during a highly successful six-year spell at Anfield.