Manchester United: Louis van Gaal identifies Southampton star Sadio Mane as Pedro alternative

Manchester United are considering a move in signing Southampton winger Sadio Mane, according to BBC.

The Red Devils have placed a bid for the Senegalese international last week. The Saints have confirmed the Old Trafford outfit's interest in landing the versatile player. However, they have denied receiving any bid.

Mane moved to St Mary's Stadium from Austrian club Red Bull Salzburg in 2014. He scored the fastest hat-trick in the Premier League against Aston Villa, ending his debut season with a tally of 10 goals in the league.

United for long maintained their interest in signing Barcelona winger Pedro. Sky Sports reports Louis van Gaal decided against landing the Spain international, which forced them to end their pursuit of the La Liga star.

The Barcelona forward is set to complete a move to Chelsea after the Premier League champions agreed a fee with the treble winners. The 20-time English champions have shifted their focus to Mane as a Pedro alternative.

Van Gaal allowed Angel Di Maria to leave United after joining them a year before from Real Madrid. The British record signing completed his move to Paris Saint-Germain earlier in the summer and they are in the market for a replacement.

United are keen to complete the deal for Mane before the end of the transfer window. An unnamed Southampton official confirmed the African attacker will not be sold this summer.

"He is a key part of our team and our planning for the future. He wouldn't be sold," the Saints official told Sky Sports.

The former Barcelona and Bayern Munich manager admitted the Red Devils' new signing must have "speed and creativity" in order to win the title this season.

"We're not on schedule to be champions because we need speed and creativity at the front. Whether we can win the title [in the next two seasons] is dependable if we can buy players with speed and creativity," Van Gaal said, as quoted by the Daily Mail.

"The hardest decisions are always which players you buy and which have to go. We know the Premier League is different to all the other leagues and players have to adapt."