GOAL 

Manchester United have turned their attentions to Sadio Mane after Chelsea hijacked their move for Barcelona forward Pedro. 

United are understood to have made contact with Southampton last week and lodged a formal bid for the Senegal winger after pulling out of a deal for Pedro, paving the way for the 28-year-old to complete a move to Stamford Bridge.

Mane joined Southampton from Red Bull Salzburg last summer and scored 10 times, including the fastest hat-trick in Premier League history during the 6-1 demolition of Aston Villa in May, and the south coast club are determined for him not become the third high-profile player to leave St Mary’s for Old Trafford in just over a year.

Louis van Gaal made Luke Shaw the most expensive teenager in world football at the time by paying £27 million for the England left-back last summer and splashed out £24m for Morgan Schneiderlin’s services last month. 

Despite Memphis Depay’s bright start to his United career - the former PSV forward scored his first two goals for the club in Tuesday’s Champions League victory over Club Brugge - Van Gaal remains keen to bolster his attacking options having sold Robin van Persie to Fenerbahce and opted not to turn Radamel Falcao’s loan move into a permanent one.

United executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward flew to Barcelona in midweek but the club insist his presence was not solely linked to the Pedro deal and the decision to drop their interest in the Spain international was the manager’s.

Chelsea, who have begun the defense of their Premier League crown with just one point from the opening two games, have moved decisively in showing their willingness to activate Pedro's £21.5m buyout clause and are expected to formally announce his signing later this week.