The Senegal winger had the Theatre of Dreams on his mind before a move to Anfield originated.
Manchester United had been the club on Sadio Mane’s mind before the winger made the move to Liverpool.
The Senegal international joined the Reds in 2016 for a transfer fee of £30 million ($37m) after two profitable campaigns with Southampton.
But before moving to Anfield, Mane had been subject to huge interest from the Red Devils, with the now 27-year-old admitting he thought about a transfer to Old Trafford.
“We had been thinking most about Manchester United,” Mane told The Times.
“That was a difficult time for me as I was on the bench so I was not questioning about anyone calling me, however I was pleased he [Jurgen Klopp] did and was not thinking I was a rapper.”
The ‘rapper’ comment made by Mane is referring to a current interview by Liverpool coach Klopp, who suggested the winger looked like a rapper when he joined the club.
Mane has gone on to win the Champions League with the Reds, and has scored an impressive seventy seven goals in 161 appearances throughout all competitions.
He additionally went on to win the Premier League’s golden boot last season, with his 22 goals putting him alongside Liverpool team-mate Mohamed Salah and Arsenal ace Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang.
Mane has spoken previously at how close he was to joining Louis van Gaal’s Man Utd side all through his final season with the Saints.
“I was really, definitely close because I even met up with them,” Mane told the Mirror last year
“So I was coming, I was there and I spoke with the boss who was there before [Van Gaal].
“They made an offer, however in the same week, Klopp called me.
“He said: ‘I think it’s the right club. The right coach for you, and I think it’s better that you go to Liverpool’.
“For me I think it was the proper time as well. I said, ‘I am going to Liverpool’.”
Mane’s Liverpool presently sit top of the Premier League table from when the season was halted due to coronavirus – 25 points clear of Manchester City and needing six points minimal to clinch the title.
