Man Utd turn to Sadio Mane after missing out on Pedro

Posted Thursday, August 20, 2015 by squawka.com

Manchester United have made a shock inquiry for Southampton’s Sadio Mane after failing to seal a deal for Chelsea-bound Pedro, according to the Telegraph. The report also says that the Red Devils made a bid last week too.

The Red Devils had looked odds on the secure the services of Barcelona forward Pedro before the end of the window, however, the Spaniard is instead on the verge of joining Chelsea.

According to the Telegraph, United missed out on Pedro after they failed to meet his £21.5million buy-out clause, leaving Chelsea free to match the price and finalise a deal.

United maintain that it was Louis van Gaal’s decision to walk away from the deal despite the fact that Ed Woodward travelled to Spain this week in the hopes of signing the Barca ace, as per the report.

Sadio Mane has created two chances so far this season.

The Telegraph are now reporting that United will focus their attention on Southampton’s Mane and have already made a surprise inquiry for the attacker.

Mane has impressed since moving to St. Mary’s last summer and holds the record of the fastest ever hat-trick in Premier League history following his triple in the Saints’ 6-1 thrashing of Aston Villa last term.

Southampton’s number ten, who can play on either wing or down the middle if required, scored 10 goals in his debut top-flight campaign last term, although he is yet to open his account this season.

According to the aforementioned source, Van Gaal is a fan of Mane and made an initial bid last week. Southampton are likely to fight to keep hold of the Senegalese attacker having seen a number of key men depart over recent season’s.

Van Gaal has already recruited Luke Shaw and Morgan Schneiderlin from the south-coast club in consecutive summers and may not be done with raiding Southampton yet.