Manchester United register bid for Southampton forward Sadio Mane

Manchester United bid for Senegalese midfielder Sadio Mane

Manchester United have shown interest in signing Sadio Mane from Southampton according to The Telegraph, after losing out on Pedro whose move to Chelsea seems imminent. Manchester United manager Louis van Gaal seems keen on bringing the Senegalese in to strengthen the team’s strength along the wings.

Mane joined Southampton from Red Bull Salzburg for a fee in the range of £10million last season on a four-year deal. It didn't take the 23-year old long to settle into the new team, as he scored 10 goals in 30 league appearance for the South-Coast club.

He was part of several important matches for Southampton last year. He made his debut in the 8-0 win against Sunderland, and scored the fastest hat trick in the last home match for Southampton where they won against Aston Villa 6-1.

Liverpool legend Robbie Fowler set the record for the fastest hat trick in 1994 after scoring three goals against Arsenal in 4 minutes 33 seconds. Mane beat the Liverpool favourite by completing his hattrick in 2 minutes 56 seconds.

He has already made a crucial contribution to the team this season after assisting twice and scoring once in the Europa league third qualifying round. Southampton beat Vitesse Arnhem 5-0 on aggregate to advance in the Europa League.

Van Gaal adds to his Southampton connection

Van Gaal wants to add depth to his attack after losing Angel di Maria to Paris-Saint Germain this summer, and feels Mane can be a valuable contribution to the team.

Mane will be the third player the Dutchman will sign from the Saints since he took over Old Trafford. The previous two players he bought were Luke Shaw and Morgan Schneiderlin.

Luke Shaw was brought in last summer, and Schneiderlin was brought in with Bastian Schweinsteiger this summer.

Southampton who have already lost Nathaniel Clyne and Schneiderlin this year, don’t intend let Mane go, but United might be willing to meet his fees seeing that Pedro is almost taken by Chelsea.

Southampton official says Sadio Mane is not for sale. "He is a key part of our team and our planning for the future. He wouldn't be sold".

— Amy Lewis (@SkySportsAmy) August 19, 2015

Hesitant Pedro unwanted by Van Gaal

It is claimed that Van Gaal was not willing to meet Pedro’s £21.5million clause which is why they shifted their focus to Mane even though executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward had given the 64-year-old the go-ahead to sign the Spaniard.

Chelsea who were ready to meet the 28 year-olds buy-out clause made a move on him on Tuesday, and flew him over to London to finalise the deal.

Another reason why Pedro might be more eager to move to Stamford Bridge is because of his reservations towards Van Gaal.