In-depth: Is Sadio Mane Manchester United-bound after Southampton fall-out?
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Updated 03/01/2016 at 11:29 GMT
After Ronald Koeman's public criticism of Sadio Mane, is the Southampton forward destined for a January move to Old Trafford?
Southampton's Sadio Mane
Image credit: AFP
WHAT'S THE STORY?
Southampton's Sadio Mane is the subject of renewed links with Manchester United after being dropped from Saturday's 1-0 defeat at Norwich for disciplinary reasons.
Mane was left on the bench after arriving late for a team meeting two hours before kick-off.
Manager Ronald Koeman was outspoken in his criticism of Mane, with whom he had spoken about a lack of focus earlier in the week.
WHAT DID KOEMAN SAY?
My message to Sadio two days ago in training was that I didn't think he was really focused and concentrated. Yes I feel let down by him, but it's felt much more by his team-mates because we are a club where we like to treat everybody very respectfully and you have responsibilities as a player, to the fans, to your team-mates, to your board, to the technical staff.
He also hit out at Victor Wanyama, who was sent off, saying: "I'm angry about the second yellow card from Victor because a player with his experience needs to know if you already have a yellow in a game, that you cannot do that tackle in that position on the pitch."
If Mane was not unsettled before Saturday, Koeman's decision to admonish him publicly will certainly have done the trick.
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Southampton manager Ronald Koeman
Image credit: Reuters
WHICH IS WHERE UNITED COME IN
Indeed - United are reportedly preparing a bid for the star as they continue to struggle for goals.
Mane offers a versatile attacking option, as he can play on either flank or behind the striker, and would certainly provide some of the positivity and attacking impetus United have lacked this season.
He would also be eligible for the Europa League as Southampton failed to qualify for this season's group stage.
HOW MUCH WILL HE COST?
A splashy story in the Sun on Sunday says Mane will cost £62.5m - but that's using the old trick of adding his salary into the fee. The Sun puts his actual transfer value at £30m while the Mirror goes for a more conservative (and more realistic) £25m.
BIG MONEY FOR AN UNHAPPY PLAYER - WHY WOULDN'T SOUTHAMPTON SELL?
Because Mane is their best player, and they need him to help arrest an alarming slump that has seen them lose eight of their last 10 games.
They are still seven points above the relegation zone but goals are a serious problem. Saints have scored just eight times in 10 games, with half of those coming in the 4-0 Boxing Day mauling of Arsenal.
They also have to consider the fans - while Southampton's status as a selling club is a fact of life, it would be a bitter blow to lose another top player just six months after seeing Morgan Schneiderlin and Nathaniel Clyne depart St Mary's.
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Sadio Mane celebrates scoring for Southampton against Liverpool
Image credit: Reuters
WILL HE GO?
With four weeks left until the transfer window closes, this one has some way to run.
United need to assess the merit of spending big again in January, especially when Louis van Gaal has not yet come close to unlocking Memphis Depay's full potential.
As for Southampton, they must assess whether Koeman's relationship with the player can be repaired. Mane will still be in demand in the summer, so unless Saints land a significant January premium for their star man, don't be surprised if Mane stays put.
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