Sadio Mane has revealed that he snubbed advances from Manchester United to join Liverpool this summer. The Senegalese international became one of the high profile signings at Anfield as he left Southampton and moved to Merseyside.
He joined the Saints from Red Bull Salzburg on the deadline day in the summer of 2014. After impressing in his first season at the St Mary’s Stadium, he attracted interest from United last summer, managed by their former manager Louis van Gaal. Southampton rejected offers from the Red Devils as they wanted to keep Mane at the club.
The Dutchman was replaced by Jose Mourinho earlier in May and even the former Chelsea manager was looking at signing him this summer. However, Mane revealed that he rejected a chance to join the Portuguese tactician at Old Trafford in order to join their arch-rivals Liverpool.
Mane even went on to admit that he felt that the Reds and their manager Jurgen Klopp was the perfect choice and that was one of the major factors in helping him to join the former Borussia Dortmund manager at Anfield.
“Yes, it was true,” Mane told the Liverpool Echo, when asked if there was interest from Mourinho’s United.
“There was interest from a lot of clubs, not just Manchester United, but as soon as I knew Liverpool were interested I just felt it was the right club with the right coach. It was right for me to come here.
“Liverpool are a massive club with a big history that has won many trophies over the years and as soon as I was told of the possibility to come here and I knew the manager wanted me I said yes.
“It was the right move. I recognise the size of the club and to progress to another level as a player this was the club and the moment for me. It was a step I needed to make.”
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