Last-Minute Twist: How Sadio Mane Almost Joined Manchester United Before Liverpool's Legend Began

The near-miss with Manchester United

Senegalese star Sadio Mane, now with Al Nassr, reveals little-known chapters of his professional journey, confirming he was on the verge of moving to Manchester United before fate flipped direction at the last moment.

ESPN reported that United had a full agreement in place on all deal details, with the move seemingly set for an official announcement.

However, Mane says final decisions were not settled, as the allure of United’s offer coexisted with a surprising intervention that altered the transfer path just before it could be finalized.

Liverpool destiny and a legendary spell

That moment proved pivotal, as he ultimately joined Liverpool in the 2016/2017 season, kick-starting the most successful phase of his club career, lasting until the summer of 2022.

With Liverpool, Mane appeared in 269 matches across all competitions, scoring 120 goals and providing 46 assists, helping steer the club through a golden era domestically and in Europe.

He collected major trophies including the Champions League, the Premier League, the FIFA Club World Cup, the UEFA Super Cup, the FA Cup, and the League Cup, among others.

In his closing remarks, Mane revealed the real reason he backed away from United: a phone call about Liverpool's project and the role for him on the pitch.

He recalled that even after agreeing with United, Klopp’s explanation of Liverpool's project changed the decision. The Liverpool project proved highly convincing, and Mane chose to be part of it rather than United.

Punchline 1: That last-minute talk was sharper than any offside flag—talk about a plot twist that actually finishes in red.

Punchline 2: Mane picked Liverpool because destiny has a sharper instinct than a transfer rumor, and apparently a better ringtone too.