Sadio Mane has agreed to join Manchester United as Thomas Tuchel decides to leave Bayern Munich.

May 18, 2023Last Updated: May 18, 2023

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Sadio Mane, a former Liverpool attacker, is set to leave Bayern Munich this summer after only one season in Germany, with a move to Manchester United being considered.

Sadio Mane is expected to leave Bayern Munich this summer, with Manchester United surfacing as a surprise transfer possibility for the former Liverpool striker.

Mane left Anfield for Bayern Munich in a £35.1 million deal last summer. After making it apparent that he desired a fresh challenge, the seasoned forward ended six trophy-laden seasons at the Merseyside club.

The Senegalese front scored 120 goals in 269 appearances for Liverpool and won six major awards during his time with Klopp’s side, who have had to adjust to life without the attacker, who was consistently brilliant throughout his tenure at Anfield.

However, the forward’s time at Bayern has not gone as planned. The 31-year-old was making his comeback after being suspended by the German champions for a Bundesliga match last month for allegedly striking teammate Leroy Sane during their 3-0 Champions League defeat at Manchester City.

As punishment, the former Liverpool forward was barred from playing in Bayern’s Bundesliga match against Hoffenheim at the Allianz Arena, as well as fined heavily. Mane has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the club’s attack due to form and fitness difficulties, with competition from the likes of Sane, Serge Gnabry, and Thomas Muller.

While he battled for consistency under former manager Julian Nagelsmann, he has not seen an improvement under Thomas Tuchel. He had only six minutes of action in the weekend win against Schalke, and Sky Sport Germany reports that the forward has no future at the club and will be moved this summer.

Only Premier League clubs are expected to be able to afford the veteran forward, but a move to Liverpool seems doubtful given the recent high-profile additions of Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo.

According to the same rumors in Germany, Manchester United and Newcastle are the two clubs most likely to recruit Mane. In an interview last year, the Senegalese forward confessed that he had an agreement to come to Old Trafford (in 2016) before to Liverpool’s offer for him.

“I have to say, I was really close to going to Manchester United,” Mane told the Daily Telegraph. “I had the contract there. I had it all agreed. It was all ready, but instead, I thought, ‘No, I want to go to Liverpool.’

“I was convinced to go with (Jurgen) Klopp’s project. I still remember the first time I got the call from Klopp. He said, ‘We have a big project at Liverpool and I want you to be part of it.’

“Then he asked what position I wanted because he could see at Southampton I played on the right side and I used to play on the left. I said I prefer left, and then he said, ‘But (Philippe) Coutinho is on the left!’ So I said, never mind, I will play on the right. I could see myself in all the positions.”

United are looking to add to their attacking options this summer, including the signing of a high-profile central striker. Anthony Martial and Jadon Sancho’s futures are uncertain, while Amad is expected to play after a successful loan spell at Sunderland.