Liverpool forward Sadio Mane has admitted he was on the verge of signing for Manchester United in 2016 before Jurgen Klopp intervened with an 11th-hour proposal.
On the eve of their latest Champions League final against Spanish champions Real Madrid in Paris, the Reds have yet to tie down Mane - or Mohamed Salah - to long-term deals. As things stand, the pair will leave Anfield for free next year.
It remains a concern, but not a distraction, for Liverpool as they aim to add the Champions League crown to their Carabao Cup and FA Cup wins. Mane has been a key part of long-running success under Klopp, but had Liverpool not come calling, things might have turned out differently for the Senegal international.
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He attracted interest from United when leaving Southampton in 2016. However, despite verbally agreeing terms at Old Trafford, according to the man himself, he was ultimately sold on working for Klopp and went through with a £37million switch to Anfield instead.
Speaking to Jamie Carragher for The Telegraph, Mane said: "I have to say, I was really close to going to Manchester United [laughs]. 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 Klopp's project. I still remember the first time I got the call from Klopp.
Mane added: "He thought of signing me at [Borussia Dortmund] and for some reason it didn't work out. He tried to explain and I said; 'It's okay, it happened'. I forgave him. Then he said; 'Now I want you at Liverpool. And I said; 'Okay, Dortmund is behind us, let's focus on the future'."
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