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Sadio Mane: This is why I signed for Liverpool instead of Manchester United
SADIO MANE claims he snubbed Manchester United to join Liverpool.
Saido Mane has revealed Manchester United wanted him - but he chose to join Liverpool instead
The Senegal striker was a target for Louis Van Gaal and a number of other clubs last season after impressing at Southampton but jumped at the chance to work under Jurgen Klopp at Anfield.
Winger Mane, whose £34m transfer has made him the most expensive African footballer, said: “It’s true. There was interest from a lot of clubs, not just Manchester United. But as soon as I knew Liverpool were interested I just felt it was the right club with the right coach.
“Liverpool are a massive club with a big history and have won many trophies over the years. As soon as I was told of the possibility to come here, and I knew the manager wanted me, I said yes.
There was interest from a lot of clubs, not just Manchester United. But as soon as I knew Liverpool were interested I just felt it was the right club with the right coach
“To progress to another level as a player, this was the right club and the right moment for me. It was a step I needed to make.”
Klopp has been keen on Mane, who holds the record for the fastest Premier League hat-trick at two minutes and 56 seconds, since he saw him play for Salzburg but stepped up his interest after he scored twice in Southampton’s 3-2 comeback win over Liverpool last season.
And Mane has promised to improve his punctuality under the German after being disciplined by former Saints boss Ronaldo Koeman – now at Everton – for being late for a team meeting last season.
Liverpool FC V Huddersfield Town drone halts play
“The coach made his statement,” he said. “It was a club policy about not being late. I didn’t speak about it at the time because it makes it worse. But it was something I learnt from. It is not something I intend to allow to happen again.”
He also hopes to become a more popular figure at Anfield than his controversial Senegal compatriot El Hadji Diouf, a £10m signing by Gerard Houllier following the 2002 World Cup.
“I didn’t get the chance to speak to him before I joined but I have seen he has spoken to the press in Senegal and encouraged me and wished me the best,” he said.
“I do know him well. I first met him at the London Olympics when he came to visit the Senegal team and say hello. He is a hero in Senegal but of course I have heard maybe not so much in Liverpool.”
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