Manchester United are once again being linked with a wide range of potential targets as manager Erik ten Hag looks to strengthen his team in preparation for the upcoming season with the summer transfer window rapidly approaching.

Among the plethora of transfer rumours surrounding the Red Devils, one rather unexpected allegation that has surfaced recently is the links to former Liverpool player Sadio Mane, with Spanish publications stating that the Senegalese attacker might be a potential target for the top-four aspirations.

This comes after reports from Sky Germany that the Old Trafford club and Newcastle United are the most likely candidates to make a move for the 31-year-old, with the Champions League-winning winger apparently set for a quick exit from current side Bayern Munich after a disappointing debut season in Germany.

The former Southampton star, who spent six years at Anfield, moved to the Allianz Arena last summer in a £35 million transfer, but despite having played in 37 games and producing six assists and 12 goals so far, it’s thought that the Bavarian giants are already considering an escape.

As a result, United, who reportedly struck a deal with Mane back in 2016 before his departure to Merseyside, now have the chance to seize the initiative. This is because another ex-Liverpool player is expected to make a disputed transfer to the Theatre of Dreams.

Would United make a wise choice by adding Mane?

In 2009, United acquired Michael Owen on a free transfer from Newcastle United, irking their rivals in the process. The now-retired striker started his career with the Reds and amassed over 150 goals for the Merseysiders.

The aged striker, who was 29 when he made the switch, was continually sidelined by injuries over the following several years, despite scoring a spectacular, stoppage-time winner in the Manchester derby during his first season. Ultimately, though, that contentious deal failed to bear fruit.

Prior to joining Stoke City in the summer of 2012, the former England international would score just 17 goals in 52 outings for Sir Alex Ferguson’s team.

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In the case of Mane, the 94-cap ace’s signing would be justified given his prior Anfield exploits. The adaptable forward has also proven to be quite clinical for United’s adversaries, similar to Owen, scoring 120 goals and dishing out 48 assists in just 269 appearances.

The 5′ 9″ speedster, who Reds manager Jurgen Klopp once praised as “brutal” and “like a machine,” has lost part of his way while playing for Bayern, and it’s unclear what kind of forward Ten Hag will be getting.

Mane’s difficulties in his current situation are made clear by the fact that some in Germany have joked that they may have signed the marksman’s “twin brother,” with the agreement proving to be an unquestionable “mistake,” according to Sky Sports reporter Florian Plettenberg.

Because Ten Hag has to avoid the £35 million-rated asset, there may be a perception that the former Red Bull Salzburg star is past his prime, as it appeared to be during Owen’s tenure in Manchester.