Senegal international confirms he held talks with the Dutchman to join the Red Devils
Former Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has revealed he rejected a move to Manchester United in 2015 because he felt he had no chance of getting playing time in Louis van Gaal’s squad.
The forward was still at Southampton at the time and had been targeted by United as they looked to refresh their attack.
Mane said on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast that he held direct talks with Van Gaal that summer, but left the conversation unsure about where he would fit into a squad that already featured the biggest names in football.
“Manchester United called me that time,” said Mane. “I was talking to Van Gaal. Rooney was there. And Di Maria was there. And [Memphis] Depay was there.”
Mane asked Van Gaal directly how he was expected to break into a frontline already containing Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, Angel Di Maria and Memphis Depay. According to the Senegal international, the reply did not settle his doubts.
“He said, ‘I know your talent, you’re good. But if you do good training, good impression, you will play. But we have another player which is also good,’” said Mane. “I was not convinced about his explanation.”
Mane added that he felt he needed more time before moving to a club of United’s size: “At the time, me, I was not ready, I can say. I was young. I still needed someone to help me more.”
United instead signed Anthony Martial later that window. Mane stayed at Southampton for one more season and moved to Liverpool in 2016, where he became a central figure in the club’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs under Jurgen Klopp.
The Senegal international also confirmed he spoke with Tottenham that same summer and was more persuaded by Mauricio Pochettino’s approach.
“I have a meeting with Tottenham,” said Mane. “I see the facility, I meet the coach, I talk to him and I was more convinced than the Man United project. Because Man U was too many. The problem was too many big players.”
