Despite carelessly spending a shed load of cash in recent seasons, Louis van Gaal has ultimately failed to set the Premier League alight during his spell at Old Trafford so far.
For one reason or another, Manchester United have simply been awful to watch this season. Whilst the Red Devils still just about remain in the league’s illustrious top-four positions, their play has been slow, unimaginative and void of energy especially in recent weeks.
So with Southampton’s Sadio Mane once again seeing his name linked with a prestigious move to Old Trafford this season, could Louis van Gaal be getting the club’s often used cheque-book out once again this January in an attempt to raise the spirits in and around his team?
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As the main problem currently afflicting van Gaal’s side would be a sheer inability to score goals, Sadio Mane could theoretically work wonders at Old Trafford should such a move eventually take place.
The Senegal international has been in fine form ever since first stepping foot in the Premier League, and the well-established forward certainly hasn’t looked back after breaking onto the scene in impressive fashion.
The rapidly emerging 23-year-old has always provided a positive goal-threat for Southampton in the past few seasons, his racing ability on the counter-attack has often proved deadly at times, and when it comes to sending the ball home, this is a player who very rarely disappoints.
The former Red Bull Salzburg man has already scored seven goals in all competitions this season, adding to the equally admirable collection he amassed last term. He may not represent the most graceful and elegant front-man the Premier League has ever seen, but as Mane does seem to score goals whenever given the chance for his side, very few could criticise the current Southampton striker from a justified point of view.
Manchester United would therefore greatly benefit from the 23-year-old’s services in theory, even if Mane isn’t that big name type of player Red Devils fans have admittedly become accustomed to. In a team currently struggling for goals at a rather desperate rate, the Senegalese front-man would most likely thrive.
However, as the Saints have reportedly set their valuation of the striker around the £20million mark, maybe Louis van Gaal should carefully consider his options before making any move for the St. Mary’s favourite this January. Sadio Mane has still looked promising this year, but arguably not quite the player that readily took Premier League defences apart in 2014/15.
The Old Trafford hierarchy have already wasted a great deal of resources on expensive gambles in the past, after all. Both Angel Di Maria and Radamel Falcao failed to impress at Old Trafford rather dramatically last season – and as each of Anthony Martial and Memphis Depay were signed at the club for a small fortune each this summer, does Louis van Gaal really need to add another attacker of a similar mould in the shape of Mane?
The answer could well be no. The Red Devils should potentially cast their eye over some recognised centre-forwards before considering the Southampton man this January, for both Robin van Persie and Javier Hernandez seemingly haven’t been replaced down at Old Trafford.
As Southampton have also seen most of their marquee players rinsed in recent seasons, no honest Manchester United fan could hold ill-feelings towards the Saints for placing such a hefty price-tag on Sadio Mane’s head this season.
Whilst the Red Devils certainly need some aid among their striking department this winter, it remains hard to imagine Mane departing the realms of St. Mary’s as early as the January transfer window – especially as he isn’t quite the player Manchester United require right in the here and now.
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