Manchester United have reportedly made Southampton star Sadio Mane their top transfer target as the January transfer window approaches, according to reports from the Express. Mane was heavily linked with a move to Old Trafford during the summer, but Southampton shrugged off any chances of a switch to United, turning down a £20m bid as Mane is held in high regard in the Southampton squad.
However recent claims suggest that United will come back for the player in January with a bid around the region of £30m for the Southampton winger. Van Gaal has recently stressed the fact that he’s looking to bring in fast wingers in January and Mane who is well known for his speed on and off the ball apparently fits the bill.
Should the deal for Mane eventually fall through, United will look towards Bournemouth winger Matt Ritchie instead as he is expected to cost less than Mane. Mane made 40 appearances in all competitions last season, scoring 13 goals including a 4 minute hat-trick against Aston Villa last term.
The Senegal international would be expected to come into the right flank for United following poor performances from Memphis Depay recently as the Dutch starlet hasn’t featured for United since early October.
United won their last premier league game against a resilient West Brom team in a game which ended 2-0 courtesy of goals from Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata.