Sadio Mané’s Decision to Turn Down Manchester United
In a recent appearance on the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast, Sadio Mané, the Senegalese forward currently with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, recounted his decision to turn down a transfer to Manchester United prior to his eventual move to Liverpool.
Reflections on the 2015 Transfer Talks
Reflecting on discussions he had in the summer of 2015, when he was still at Southampton, Mané expressed doubts regarding then-manager Louis van Gaal‘s promise of regular playtime amid a squad filled with stars such as Wayne Rooney, Robin van Persie, and Ángel Di María.
“At that time, Manchester United reached out to me,” he recalled, highlighting a conversation with Van Gaal. The coach had asserted that Mané, a player he highly regarded, would play given his talent and commitment in training. However, Mané was skeptical. “I asked him, ‘Where am I going to play?’ with established talents like Rooney and Di María already in the mix. Period. I wanted to be assured of my spot on the team.”
Ultimately, not feeling yet prepared for the demands of such a prominent club and recognizing his need for further development, Mané decided against a move to United. Instead, he found an enticing offer from Liverpool, which he accepted a year later for a transfer fee of around £36 million ($47 million). This decision proved pivotal for his career, helping the team secure titles in both the Premier League and the Champions League under manager Jurgen Klopp.
Other Transfer Possibilities
In addition to Manchester United’s pitch, Mané opened up about other possibilities, including a potential transfer to Tottenham Hotspur during that same period. He noted feeling more drawn to the project proposed by Spurs manager Mauricio Pochettino after a visit to the club’s training ground, where he was impressed by their facilities and ambitions.
“When I met Pochettino, I felt more convinced than with what United had to offer, especially since there were many big players at United, which made competition for slots fierce.”
Conclusion
Reflecting on his choices, Mané acknowledged that prioritizing playtime was paramount and that he desired more growth before taking on such a significant challenge. His eventual choice to play at Liverpool has undoubtedly shaped his successful career in football.
