Liverpool star reveals he could’ve gone to Old Trafford
Liverpool star Sadio Mane has revealed that in summer 2015 he could’ve gone to Manchester United, but opted to stay with Southampton.
Mane had the opportunity to switch to play for Louis van Gaal, but insisted he doesn’t regret his decision.
“In honesty, there were some clubs interested at that time [in 2015] but I never made any choices then,” he told the Sunday Telegraph. “I did not say I thought of any club and I wanted to play there. That kind of interest gave me a lot confidence on the pitch and made me believe in myself, but I knew this was because of my hard work and I was in a good way.
“Ronald Koeman was not happy with all the rumours because he wanted me to stay, but it was not too complicated because for me, also, it was not time to go. When I spoke to him I told him, ‘No problem, I will stay.’ It was my decision. I wanted to stay at Southampton.
“I was patient because I remember after the first year [in England] I knew it was better to focus on Southampton. In my head I thought I would be there a couple more years and prove something. I was convinced I still had to prove something, improve more and learn more before I moved to a bigger club. But then I knew when the right time was for me. The extra year helped me get better, and it is important for every player to go step by step.
“It was only when Liverpool came in [last summer] that I never had a second thought and knew I wanted to join. It was different because then was the right moment for me. I finally came to Liverpool and I was happy with that, and now I’m happy I am playing against Manchester United.”
By Ben Kelly – @benkelly_10
