United eye Mane move after Koeman row

MANCHESTER UNITED were put on alert last night as Sadio Mane’s future at Southampton was thrown into doubt following criticism by manager Ronald Koeman for turning up late to a team meeting.

United are keen on the Senegalese midfielder — manager Louis van Gaal tried to sign him in the summer — and will be monitoring Mane’s situation closely.

The player turned up late for a meeting two hours before their match against Norwich yesterday and Koeman punished him by dropping him from the starting line-up. Southampton lost 1-0. Koeman had already spoken to Mane about his lack of focus in a training session on Thursday and this latest incident suggests that the player is angling for a move in this month’s transfer window.

Koeman is undecided if he will fine the player but accused him of letting down his team-mates and the supporters after they lost in his absence.

‘We had a different line-up for the game,’ said a clearly incensed Koeman. ‘He was one of the 11 players to start but I 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.

‘I don’t understand the player who is coming late to the last meeting. My message to him on Thursday was I think he wasn’t really focused and concentrated.’

Asked if he felt let down, Koeman said: ‘Yes, but much more the players — his team-mates. We are a club that treats everyone with respect, you have responsibility, as a player, to the fans, to your team-mates, to the board, to the technical staff. And that’s very painful.’

This is the second time Mane has been disciplined for such an offence. He turned up late to a team meeting ahead of their home match against Liverpool last season.

Koeman was particularly frustrated at Mane’s indiscipline just a day after Southampton chairman Ralph Krueger had

addressed the players, on New Year’s Day, where he discussed the team’s spirit, respect, ambition and focus.

Victor Wanyama, who had a transfer request denied in the summer when Tottenham wanted him, was sent off for two yellow cards, which only added to Koeman’s fury. ‘I’m angry about the second yellow card from Victor,’ said Koeman (above). A player with his experience needs to know if you have a yellow already in a game, you can’t do that tackle.’

Mane’s fall out with his club will certainly alert a United side short on firepower. Despite their 2-1 win against Swansea at Old Trafford yesterday, Van Gaal has already indicated his desire to add to his squad this month and remains keen on the attacking midfielder.

Van Gaal is under pressure to add spark to a side who were winless in eight league matches before yesterday and a move for Lazio winger Felipe Anderson has hit a snag, with the Italian club demanding £35million.