Liverpool and Man Utd still 'tracking' Championship star after failed approach in final days of window

Manchester United and Liverpool are long-term admirers of Wolves winger Mateus Mane, who could have departed Molineux in the final days of the window, it has been claimed.

In a disappointing campaign for Wolves that ended in relegation last term, the emergence of Mane was the shining light they needed during a difficult period.

After making his Premier League debut in a 2-0 defeat to Brighton in May 2025, the 18-year-old established himself as a regular first-teamer, making 27 appearances during the 2025/26 campaign while producing five goal involvements.

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Liverpool and Man Utd failed in late Mateus Mane move

Mane's talents as a fleet-footed winger unsurprisingly caught the eye, and the teenage sensation attracted significant interest from clubs higher up the Premier League.

Liverpool and Manchester United were two of the biggest teams that regularly scouted the Portugal under-21 international last term and, according to TEAMtalk, both clubs 'held conversations' over a possible move for the Wolves starlet.

The report claims that the Reds looked at both a permanent signing and a potential buy-to-loan-back option, but the Old Gold were insistent that the youngster wasn't available for transfer and didn't allow him to leave.

Crucially, Mane wasn't pushing for a move out of Molineux - like many teenagers would - but he was open to the possibility if Wolves were willing to sanction a transfer.

Mane's camp believes that his development is best served by playing regular first-team football in the Championship, instead of joining a big club, where he would likely have been pushed into the academy or loaned out.

The versatile forward, who can also play in behind the striker, has started in each of Wolves' opening four games in the second tier under new manager Cesar Peixoto but is yet to grab a goal or an assist.

Man United, Liverpool and other clubs, meanwhile, are still 'tracking' the teenager's development, while his talents haven't gone unnoticed outside of England, too, with Portuguese giants Porto, Sporting and Benfica all keeping close tabs on his progress.

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Mateus Mane equalled Cristiano Ronaldo's Premier League record

Unlike many of his teammates, Mane showed fearlessness when he stepped onto the pitch last season, demonstrating that he wasn't afraid to carry the ball forward for his team.

Wolves' No. 36 also showcased a sharp eye for goal, with all three of his Premier League strikes coming from range, including his piledriver in the second-to-last game against Fulham.

In fact, Mane became only the second Portuguese teenager to score three or more Premier League goals from outside the box in a single campaign, matching Cristiano Ronaldo's feat in 2003/04.

Ronaldo famously signed for Man United in the summer of 2003 from Sporting Lisbon and became one of the hottest teenage prospects on the planet under Sir Alex Ferguson, scoring four and assisting four during his debut campaign at Old Trafford.

The rest, as they say, is history, with the Portuguese icon cementing himself as arguably the greatest player of all time and currently on the road to a milestone 1000 professional goals.