A year before he joined Liverpool, Sadio Mane revealed that he turned down a move to Manchester United because he was “unconvinced” by then-manager Louis van Gaal, who suggested Mane play behind stars like Wayne Rooney and Robin van Persie. In an episode of the podcast “Rio Ferdinand Presents,” Mane recounted his meeting with Van Gaal in the summer of 2015 while he was playing at Southampton.
Ultimately, Mane opted for Liverpool a year later for £36 million (around $47 million), where he significantly contributed to the team’s Champions League and Premier League triumphs. Currently playing alongside Cristiano Ronaldo at Al Nasr in the Saudi Professional League, Mane expressed that he wasn’t ready to join United at the time Van Gaal reached out.
Mane recounted, “I got a call from Manchester United and spoke to Van Gaal. At that time, Rooney, Di Maria, and Memphis Depay were on the team. When United couldn’t secure my signature, they turned to Anthony Martial.” He noted Van Gaal’s interest, saying, “When he asked if I wanted to come to United, I was hesitant. I had concerns about my playing time with so many established forwards already in the squad.”
Mane continued, “I wasn’t satisfied with Van Gaal’s response regarding my potential playing time. I felt I wasn’t ready; I was younger and needed more support to develop. I decided to stay at Southampton, where I was still working on my consistency.”
Additionally, Mane considered a move to Tottenham Hotspur that summer, citing manager Mauricio Pochettino’s vision as more appealing than United’s. He explained, “I visited Tottenham’s training ground a week later and found their facilities impressive, which gave me more confidence compared to the Manchester United situation, where there were simply too many star players.”
Fan Take: This story resonates with soccer fans as it underscores the importance of player development and the right fit, reminding us that big clubs are not always the best choice for emerging talents. Mane’s journey illustrates that choosing the right environment can lead to greater success in a player’s career, something aspiring athletes ought to consider seriously.
