Now, Mane is set for a return to the league where he has scored over 100 goals, with clubs from elsewhere in Europe said to be unable to afford his wages.
Sadio Mane was a huge hit in English football – and could be returning (Image credit: Getty)
It's actually resurfaced via The Mirror that the Senegalese actually agreed on a deal with the Red Devils prior to a move to Liverpool. United could now feasibly get their man seven years after first trying.
"I have to say, I was really close to going to Manchester United," Mane told the Daily Telegraph. "I had the contract there. I had it all agreed. It was all ready, but instead, I thought, 'No, I want to go to Liverpool.'
"I was convinced to go with (Jurgen) Klopp's project. I still remember the first time I got the call from Klopp. He said, 'We have a big project at Liverpool and I want you to be part of it.'"
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Louis van Gaal wanted to bring Sadio Mane to Old Trafford originally (Image credit: PA)
United are said to be chasing a forward this summer with Harry Kane top of Erik ten Hag's list to join. Mane could well offer an interesting Plan B, however, given that he has played effectively as a centre-forward at Liverpool.
Mane is valued at around €45 million by Transfermarkt.
Mark White is the Digital Content Editor at FourFourTwo. During his time on the brand, Mark has written three cover features on Mikel Arteta, Martin Odegaard and the Invincibles, and has written pieces on subjects ranging from Sir Bobby Robson’s time at Barcelona to the career of Robinho. An encyclopedia of football trivia and collector of shirts, he first joined the team back in 2020 as a staff writer.
