Louis van Gaal reveals he tried to sign Sadio Mane for Manchester United - as Virgil van Dijk admits he feels 'sad' his former Liverpool team-mate has been forced out of the World Cup with injury as Holland prepare to face Senegal

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Louis van Gaal has revealed that he tried to sign Sadio Mane when he was in charge at Manchester United. 

The Senegal forward, who was ruled out of the 2022 World Cup with a knee injury on the eve of the tournament, instead joined Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool in 2016 and went on to become one of the most prolific forwards in the Premier League. 

But it seems the Dutch manager missed out on securing a huge coup for Man United, which at the time could have helped the Red Devils push on to emulate the heights they achieved under former manager Sir Alex Ferguson. 

Senegal forward Sadio Mane (pictured) will miss the 2022 World Cup with a knee injury

Louis van Gaal (left) and Virgil van Dijk (right) spoke in a press conference at the World Cup 

'I wanted him when I was the manager at Man Utd,' Van Gaal said, lumping praise on the Bayern Munich forward during a press conference.

'I chased him at the time. I am a fan of Mane. He can break open a match and I would say Senegal will really miss him.'

Van Gaal, who guided Man United to a fourth and a fifth place finishes between 2014 and 2016 and an FA Cup trophy, will now look to prepare his Holland side to take on Senegal in their opening match at the Qatar World Cup tomorrow afternoon. 

Sat next to him during the press conference was Mane's former Liverpool teammate Virgil van Dijk, who was clearly upset for the Senegalese forward, admitting he called Mane to see how the Bayern Munich star was doing. 

'I called him the next day in the morning and obviously I wanted to know how he was, first and foremost because there were so many rumours coming out that he was injured for a while,' the centre-back said. 

Van Gaal admitted Mane was once a target for him when he was in charge at Man United

Mane (L) instead went on to play alongside Van Dijk (R) for Jurgen Klopp's Liverpool 

'I wanted just to know how he was. Unfortunately it was not the best news he had and but there was a little bit of hope, everyone thought it, but unfortunately he wasn't going to be able to make this tournament.'

While the Holland captain was upset for his former teammate, he did also admit the Dutch side will be looking to capitalise on Mane's absence on Monday.  

The Dutch national side will take on Senegal in their opening match at the Qatar World Cup 

The Holland captain was sad for Mane but said he 'hoped they could benefit from his absence'

'I feel sad for him. I know how hard he works and he wants to be important for Senegal and he has been important over the past few years. It's tough.' Van Dijk said. 

'Obviously he's going to be a big miss for Senegal. Hopefully we can benefit from it a little bit.'

Mane departed Liverpool in the summer after a rip-roaring season that saw the forward make 51 appearances for the Reds during their jam packed 2021/22 season.

Let's also not forget the vital role he played in Senegal's gallant triumph at the Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, where he featured in all of their matches, helping them defeat Egypt in the final to claim their first ever triumph at the tournament. 

Having contributed three goals, two assists and scoring the winning penalty during the final, it is clear he will be sorely missed by Senegal during the World Cup.