SADIO MANE HAS declared that Liverpool will emerge victorious from their latest meeting with rivals Manchester United.
The two clubs meet for the first time this season at Anfield on Monday night with three points currently separating them.
But Mane is confident of increasing that margin by helping the Reds to a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.
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“We are going to beat Manchester United,” Mane told the Daily Telegraph. He added: “Of course [I think that]. We all believe it. We are going to make it.”
Mane revealed that he did not regret ignoring interest from the likes of United in the summer of 2015 before deciding to leave Southampton for Liverpool a year later.
“In honesty, there were some clubs interested at that time but I never made any choices then,” he explained. “I did not say I thought of any club and I wanted to play there. That kind of interest gave me a lot confidence on the pitch and made me believe in myself, but I knew this was because of my hard work and I was in a good way.
“Ronald Koeman was not happy with all the rumours because he wanted me to stay, but it was not too complicated because for me, also, it was not time to go. When I spoke to him I told him, ‘No problem, I will stay’. It was my decision. I wanted to stay at Southampton.
“I was patient because I remember after the first year [in England] I knew it was better to focus on Southampton. In my head I thought I would be there a couple more years and prove something.
“I was convinced I still had to prove something, improve more and learn more before I moved to a bigger club. But then I knew when the right time was for me. The extra year helped me get better, and it is important for every player to go step by step.
“It was only when Liverpool came in that I never had a second thought and knew I wanted to join. It was different because then was the right moment for me. I finally came to Liverpool and I was happy with that, and now I’m happy I am playing against Manchester United.”
No regrets for Mane about snubbing Old Trafford as he insists: 'We are going to beat United'
SADIO MANE HAS declared that Liverpool will emerge victorious from their latest meeting with rivals Manchester United.
The two clubs meet for the first time this season at Anfield on Monday night with three points currently separating them.
But Mane is confident of increasing that margin by helping the Reds to a sixth consecutive victory in all competitions.
“We are going to beat Manchester United,” Mane told the Daily Telegraph. He added: “Of course [I think that]. We all believe it. We are going to make it.”
Mane revealed that he did not regret ignoring interest from the likes of United in the summer of 2015 before deciding to leave Southampton for Liverpool a year later.
“In honesty, there were some clubs interested at that time but I never made any choices then,” he explained. “I did not say I thought of any club and I wanted to play there. That kind of interest gave me a lot confidence on the pitch and made me believe in myself, but I knew this was because of my hard work and I was in a good way.
“Ronald Koeman was not happy with all the rumours because he wanted me to stay, but it was not too complicated because for me, also, it was not time to go. When I spoke to him I told him, ‘No problem, I will stay’. It was my decision. I wanted to stay at Southampton.
“I was patient because I remember after the first year [in England] I knew it was better to focus on Southampton. In my head I thought I would be there a couple more years and prove something.
“I was convinced I still had to prove something, improve more and learn more before I moved to a bigger club. But then I knew when the right time was for me. The extra year helped me get better, and it is important for every player to go step by step.
“It was only when Liverpool came in that I never had a second thought and knew I wanted to join. It was different because then was the right moment for me. I finally came to Liverpool and I was happy with that, and now I’m happy I am playing against Manchester United.”
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