In a revelation that will intrigue fans of the Premier League's great rivalry, Sadio Mane has detailed the moment he turned down a move to Manchester United, a decision that paved his path to legendary status at Liverpool.
The Crossroads: Van Gaal's Call vs. Klopp's Vision
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand's podcast, the Senegalese forward, now with Al Nassr in the Saudi Pro League, recounted the pivotal summer of 2016. His successful spell at Southampton, where he hit double figures in both seasons, had attracted a host of top clubs.
Manchester United, then managed by Louis van Gaal, made a concerted push to sign him. The Dutch manager even called Mane personally to plead his case for a move to Old Trafford. "Van Gaal called me. He said, 'Sadio, how are you? I want you to come to Manchester United'," Mane recalled.
However, the player's immediate concern was his place in a star-studded attacking line-up. "I said, 'Ok, but my question: you have Depay, you have Rooney, you have Van Persie, so where am I going to play?'" Mane's insistence on regular football was met with a promise that he would feature if he impressed in training, an assurance that left him unconvinced.
The Anfield Project Seals the Deal
Just days later, Jurgen Klopp made his move. The German manager referenced a previous missed opportunity when Mane had wanted to join him at Borussia Dortmund, apologising for that past oversight. Klopp's pitch was fundamentally different.
He promised to build a formidable team at Anfield where Mane would be a central figure. "He said, 'We will build a team no one will want to play against and then if we grow up together, then you play every game,'" Mane explained. This direct guarantee of a key role and a collaborative project resonated deeply.
"So when he said this, I went to this kind of project that I wanted," Mane stated. He promptly ended other negotiations, telling Klopp, "Yes – this is my club! This is the right decision and this is what I want to do." The transfer was completed for a fee of £36 million.
From Decision to Dynasty
Mane's choice proved to be career-defining. He became an integral part of Klopp's evolving juggernaut, contributing to the most successful period in Liverpool's modern history.
His impact was immense:
- He scored 18 goals in the 2019/20 season as Liverpool ended their 30-year wait for a Premier League title.
- He lifted the Champions League, FA Cup, and EFL Cup during his six-year Anfield tenure.
- He formed part of one of football's most feared attacking trios alongside Mohamed Salah and Roberto Firmino.
Following his Anfield departure, Mane spent a season at Bayern Munich before his 2023 move to Saudi Arabia. At Al Nassr, he has scored 43 goals in 114 appearances and won the Arab Club Champions Cup.
United, having failed to secure Mane, swiftly turned their attention to Anthony Martial. The contrasting trajectories of that summer's recruitment decision highlight the fine margins in football's transfer market, where a single phone call can alter the destiny of clubs and cement a player's legendary status.
