Manchester United‘s board are understood to be prepared to back Louis van Gaal in the January transfer window, with Southampton forward Sadio Mane tipped as the first name on the Red Devils shopping list.
The Senegal international courted controversy and received intense criticism from his manager Ronald Koeman this weekend when he was dropped for turning up late for the Saints’ pre-match meeting ahead of the fixture against Norwich City [BBC Sport].
The south-coast side ultimately lost the match, prompting Koeman to lay into his striking star after the fixture, criticising the player’s ill-discipline.
It remains to be seen how long the Dutch manager will have to deal with the forward, with the Mirror reporting that United are plotting to make the Senegal international their first signing of the window.
The forward—who the tabloid note is valued at £25 million—has bagged three goals and contributed six assists in 20 league games so far this season.
While van Gaal has come under intense pressure following a dismal run for the Red Devils [Manchester Evening News], the coach oversaw the defeat of Swansea on Saturday, and the Mirror note that the club’s board “have said they will back van Gaal in the transfer window.”
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