Manchester United Transfer News: Robert Lewandowski Blow, Sadio Mane Rumours

Manchester United have been dealt a setback in their pursuit of Robert Lewandowski after Real Madrid declared an interest in the prolific Bayern Munich striker. 

Spanish website Fichajes.net (h/t Jamie Anderson of the Daily Star) claim Los Blancos president Florentino Perez wants to add the Poland international to his Galacticos collective next year, dashing United's chances of landing the predator.

The Red Devils were given hope after the player's agent, Cezary Kucharski, told a Polish TV station his client could be tempted by a move to the Premier League, per Anderson: "With a player of Robert's class, the truth is that not a lot of work is required. Really there are only two directions in which he could go in the future, England or Spain, and only with Bayern Munich's acceptance."

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Lewandowski's stock has exploded in recent months after his incredible displays for the Bavarian giants, both in the Bundesliga and Champions League. 

The 27-year-old has plundered 18 goals in only 13 starts in both competitions, according to WhoScored.com, proving he is one of European football's archetypal strikers. 

Fichajes (h/t Metro) also noted manager Jurgen Klopp wants to convince his former player to join him at Liverpool, and had gone as far as planning talks with Kucharski in a bid to bring Lewandowski to Merseyside. 

The Telegraph's JJ Bull recently assessed the striker after his rise to the top in German football, and concluded it is Lewandowski's economy that makes him one of the best on the continent: 

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To put it simply, the reason Lewandowski is so prolific is that he takes his chances but, crucially, makes more chances for himself than other strikers with his understanding of the game and where other people are. He averages around 3.3 shots per game which is fewer than Zlatan Ibrahimovic (4) and Luis Suarez (4.4) over the last few seasons, but takes his shots when he knows he'll score. He's usually right too.

There is something to be said for how decision making in football is one of the most important assets in an attacker's arsenal. There is never the sense when watching Lewandowski that he hasn't made the right decision - even Cristiano Ronaldo, perhaps the most comparable player in world football at present, does things on the pitch that make you question what he thought was going to happen.

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United will continue to look for a world-class forward in the coming weeks, and a January purchase would be preferable as the team looks to challenge for the Premier League crown.

Most pundits and fans could not see the Red Devils challenging for silverware this term, but with United only two points behind leaders Manchester City—and with the hectic Christmas programme soon to follow—the Old Trafford superclub could trouble the summit with a shrewd signing.

Lewandowski is not likely to move anywhere in the coming weeks, as Bayern continue to challenge on all fronts, but if United could add a goalscorer after a good start to the season, coach Louis van Gaal might be on the brink of achieving something very special. 

United Back In For Mane

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Van Gaal's desire to add pace to his attack in January has rekindled his interest in Southampton's Sadio Mane, according to the MailOnline's Simon Jones.

Jones said the Saints winger is back on the radar at Old Trafford, along with Leicester City's Riyad Mahrez.

Jeremy Wilson of the Telegraph recently said United would have to "double their summer offer" they made for Mane, thought to be around £20 million.

Van Gaal opted to purchase Anthony Martial instead at the end of the summer transfer window, and Southampton would expect United to negotiate a fee that resembles the cash amount they paid for the French teenager. 

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The Saints are expected to offer their attacker a new deal, per Wilson, forcing United to move fast if they identify the player as the solution to their recent attacking woes. 

Van Gaal has identified he needs to buy pace as soon as possible, as highlighted by Jones, and Mane ticks all the boxes as a future United superstar. 

He has bedded down in the Premier League exceptionally well since his 2014 move from Red Bull Salzburg, and improves every week while he terrorises defences at St Mary's.

At 23, Mane has plenty of time and room to grow, but his price will further inflate the longer he stays on the South Coast. 

United must try to grab the player in January, and if they get the talented Senegal attacker, a title challenge could be on the agenda.