Even fans of the club would have to admit that Ronald Koeman’s latest comments about Manchester United target Sadio Mane don’t look good for the future of the player on the south coast.
It seems as if the player has had his head turned and has gone past the point of no return at The Saints, as Koeman was understandably apoplectic about the player’s tardiness and lack of focus of late:
‘We had a different line-up for the game,’ a clearly incensed Koeman said. ‘He was one of the 11 players to start, but we have rules in the team. He has made a big mistake.
‘He came two hours late to our last meeting. That’s impossible. Everyone knows that we have sanctions and you don’t start.
‘Then you have to make changes in the team, you have to make changes in set pieces and everything.
Very exciting talent
and The Daily Mail deciphers this by saying:
Manchester United on red alert as Sadio Mane is left out by furious Ronald Koeman after late arrival to Southampton meeting
This definitely points to a move for the player and Manchester United, who have been strongly linked, is surely the destination.
Mane’s mobility and creative qualities should get the Manchester United forward line playing with more pace and cohesion.
Mane is not a natural goalscorer but he does chip in wth more than his fair share from the number ten position and out wide – he has 7 in 19 games this season.
But it’s his athleticism, technique and ability to break down the opposition defence which makes him such a top prospect. And at just 23 years of age the 5ft 9in winger can grow into his role at Old Trafford.
We are going to stick our necks out and suggest that this should be Manchester United’s first winter signing. If they can add Mane and another forward they could have a good second half of the season in front of goal.
