Liverpool star Sadio Mane has stated that the interest from Manchester United over a year ago gave him a massive confidence boost.

Mane has arguably been one of the best attacking players in the Premier League over the past few seasons and United were believed to be very keen on securing the services of the Senegalese international at the start of last term.

Mane stayed put at Southampton during the time but the attacker has now gone on to state that the interest from the Red Devils gave him a lot of confidence in his abilities.

He told The Telegraph: "In honesty, there were some clubs interested at that time but I never made any choices then.

"I did not say I thought of any club and I wanted to play there.

"That kind of interest gave me a lot confidence on the pitch and made me believe in myself, but I knew this was because of my hard work and I was in a good way."

Mane and his Liverpool teammates will take on United at Anfield on Monday night.