The Senegalese footballer revealed that he had a contract agreed with the Red Devils before making a transfer turnaround in 2016, forgiving the German manager for earlier snooping him at Borussia Dortmund and completing a move to the Reds.
What did Sadio Mane say?
Sadio Mane was a hot property at the time proving its worth at PL in Southampton. The Red Devils thought they had won the race for a sought-after signing as Mourinho prepared to take over the managerial reins, but the German boss in Merseyside convinced the player that Anfield was the place for it.
A little about the topic
The Senegal international striker, who is on contract at Liverpool until 2023, has spoken about how close he came to joining their arch-rivals, which I have to say, he was really close to moving to Man Utd. Mane had a contract there.
According to Sadio Mane, he had everything in order. Everything was ready, but instead Mane thought no, he wanted to go to Liverpool. Sadio was convinced to go with Jurgen Klopp’s project. The Senegalese still remembers the first time Klopp called him.
He was watching TV. It was an action movie – because he loves cinema – and Klopp said that Mane, listen, he wants to explain to you what happened in Dortmund. That was when Jurgen was thinking of signing him to Dortmund and for some reason it didn’t work out.
Klopp tried to explain and Mane said it was ok, it happened. Mane forgave him. Then he said that now he wants you in Liverpool. Mane said well, Dortmund is behind us, let’s focus on the future.
Jurgen said they have a big project in Liverpool and he wants them to be part of it. Klopp then asked what position Mane wanted because he could see in Southampton I was playing on the right side and used to play on the left.
According to Sadio Mane, he said he preferred the left, and then Jurgen said, but Coutinho is on the left! That’s why Mane said, it doesn’t matter, he will play on the right. Mane could see himself in all positions.