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Manchester United lodge bid for Southampton FC star Sadio Mane

By Robert Molnar

Old Trafford (Credit: Edwin 11 -- Flickr Creative Commons)
Old Trafford (Credit: Edwin 11 -- Flickr Creative Commons) /
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Following the announcement that Chelsea will sign Barcelona winger Pedro, Manchester United have officially turned their attention elsewhere. In search of a talented winger who can add both speed and goalscoring to the Red Devil’s attack, Louis van Gaal has made an official bid for Southampton FC star Sadio Mane.

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The Senegalese winger joined the Saints last season after spending the previous two season’s with Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg. The 23-year old has also become a star for the Senegal National Team since his debut in 2012.

One of the biggest surprises of last season, Sadio Mane joined the Saints on deadline day for £11.8 million. The pacey winger quickly made his mark on the club, earning his first start a little under a month after joining the club.

Perhaps the winger is most known for scoring the Premier League’s fastest ever hat-trick against Aston Villa. The three goals came two minutes and 56 seconds apart, putting the 23-year old firmly into the Premier League’s record books.

While originally interested in the now Chelsea bound Pedro, The Manchester Evening News now report that the Red Devils have opened negotiations with Southampton FC for their prized winger. Since the report, BBC reports that Southampton have announced their receipt of a bid for Sadio Mane.

With top signing Memphis Depay already paying dividends as a winger for the club, Louis van Gaal has turned his attention to adding another quality winger across from the Dutch international. Scoring 10 goals last season for the Saints, Sadio Mane could be just the man for the job at Old Trafford.

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Unfortunately, the report does not state how much the bid from Manchester United was worth. No matter the price, the bid was rejected by Southampton FC who appear desperate to hold onto at least one of the side’s star players this summer.

Southampton FC have sold Nathaniel Clyne and Morgan Schneiderlin this past summer leaving the club once again in the midst of change. Following a 3-0 home defeat to Everton this past weekend, it is unlikely manager Ronald Koeman will want to continue selling his best players.

However, should Manchester United continue in their efforts to sign Sadio Mane, Southampton FC could be forced to do so. With one of the world’s most prestigious club’s calling, how long will the Senegal international choose to remain with the Saints.

Though the Red Devils have won both of their opening matches this season, the results have not been overly impressive. Both matches resulted in 1-0 wins for the side with neither goal scored by the club’s main attacking players, something Louis van Gaal will be hoping Sadio Mane can fix for the club.

Next: Southampton face Battle for Kalidou Koulibaly

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