Sadio Mane became Liverpool’s third most expensive signing in their history when he completed the switch from St. Mary’s to Anfield on 28th June 2016 for a fee of £34m. The Senegalese winger enjoyed two very productive seasons under Ronald Koeman and was one of the top performers of the rejuvenated Southampton side under the Dutchman’s reign. Mane scored 15 goals for his club last season out of which 11 were in the league and also provided 6 assists. His performances were crucial for the Saints as they finished in 6th place and secured the opportunity to play in the Europa League next season.
Recently, Mane revealed that he has snubbed a move to Manchester United in favour of Liverpool. While the statement itself would have made him a fan favourite at the club already, people have also started to retrospect if the player did the right thing or not.
Mane replied on being asked why he chose Liverpool by saying,
‘It was true that I had the chance to go to Manchester United. 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 – and with the right coach – and right for me to come here.’
From his own words, it’s pretty clear that the player is convinced that he has made the right move and also how big a role the coach played in taking his decision.
The Player attracted the interest of Klopp when he was managing Dortmund and although a move at that time never materialized, the former Red Bull Salzburg player made sure that this time, he utilizes the opportunity of working with the manager at Liverpool. Mane is a player with very good pace and work rate, he has got very good determination and tenacity which will make him perfectly suited for the high tempo game Klopp usually likes to impose upon his teams. The player’s dynamism would offer a great deal for the manager and his efficiency is something which the Liverpool team and fans would welcome gladly.
Manchester United, with Jose Mourinho thus, would not have offered the Senegalese winger to flourish the way he could under Klopp at Liverpool. Even though Mourinho also prefers the counter-attacking system, his attacking moves lack the speed and quick combinations which we have witnessed under Klopp at Dortmund and also at Liverpool during his tenure. Working with a manager who has paved the way for attack minded midfield players like Götze, Reus, Mkhitaryan and Kagawa is thus a very yearning prospect for Mane and he has made the right decision in choosing The Merseyside Red over The Red Devils.
