Mane opens up on Man Utd interest, responds to Klopp’s ‘rapper’ jibe

Jurgen Klopp, Sadio Mane TEAMtalk

Liverpool winger Sadio Mane has again opened up on how he was close to joining Manchester United before his switch to Anfield.

Mane, who began his career in Europe with FC Metz, then progressed at RB Salzburg before he rose to prominence in the Premier League with Southampton.

While on the south coast, the Senegal international netted the top flight’s fastest-ever hat-trick, which featured among the 25 goals he scored in 75 appearances for the Saints.

Such form peaked the interest of United and Liverpool and Mane told the Daily Mirror last year how he met with former Red Devils boss Louis van Gaal before Reds manager Jurgen Klopp swayed him.

And, speaking to The Times, Mane has again revealed how he was “pleased” that Klopp eventually brought him to Anfield.

“We were thinking most about Manchester United,” Mane said.

“That was a tough time for me as I was on the bench so I was not thinking about anyone calling me, but I was pleased he [Jurgen Klopp] did and was not thinking I was a rapper.”

The ‘rapper’ comment is in reference to Klopp’s initial opinion of Mane when the German was Borussia Dortmund boss.

Klopp said as part of the recently-released documentary about Mane’s career: “I remember my first encounter with Sadio. It was in Dortmund.

“There was a really young guy sitting there. His baseball cap was askew, the blond streak he still has today. He looked like a rapper just starting out. I thought, ‘I don’t have time for this.’”

Indeed, Klopp has previously admitted that not bringing Mane to Dortmund was one of his “biggest mistakes” as a coach.

Mane has gone from strength to strength at Liverpool, scoring 77 goals and assisting 34 others in 161 appearances.

This season, his goal contributions have often salvaged three points for the Reds, including his 95th-minute winner over Aston Villa and his goal to edge Liverpool past Wolves at Anfield.

READ MORE: Inter Milan chiefs plotting £26m bid for Liverpool star