'I spoke to Van Gaal' — Sadio Mane reveals why he rejected Manchester United for rivals Liverpool

Sadio Mane has revealed he spoke to former Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal before deciding to reject the Red Devils and join Liverpool in a career-defining move in 2016.

Mane, who was Manchester United’s number one transfer target that summer, opened up on the behind-the-scenes talks during a conversation with club legend Rio Ferdinand. 

He explained that despite Van Gaal’s promise of playing time, he was unconvinced about his prospects amid United’s crowded attacking options at the time.

“Manchester United called me at the time," Mane said in a video shared by Rio. "I had already spoken to Liverpool and Jurgen Klopp, who promised I would play every game. At the same time, I was talking to [Louis] van Gaal.”

“‘I want you to come to Manchester United.’ I said, ‘Really?’ He said, ‘Yes.’ My question was, ‘You have Depay, Rooney, Di Maria, Van Persie, where am I going to play?’ Van Gaal replied, ‘If you do good training, good impression, you’ll play.’ But I was not convinced.”

Mane also recalled having a meeting with Tottenham Hotspur, whose facilities and coaching staff convinced him more about their project than Manchester United’s. 

However, just three days later, Jurgen Klopp called and convinced Mane that Liverpool was the right club. “I said, ‘This is my club, this is the right move, this is what I want to do.’”

The decision paid off spectacularly. Mane joined Liverpool for a then club-record fee of around £34 million and became a key figure in Klopp’s side that won multiple trophies, including the Premier League, where he is regarded as one of the greatest Africans to play there, and Champions League.

Mane’s revelation offers interesting insight into one of the Premier League’s most impactful transfers in recent history, a confession that Liverpool fans will cherish as Mane continues to be regarded as one of the club’s modern greats.