How Mateus Mane actually felt about leaving Wolves as Man Utd and Liverpool held talks | OneFootball

The Wolves prodigy has certainly caught the eye of top clubs in recent times

Manchester United and Liverpool were two sides who held conversations over a late transfer window swoop for Wolves star, Mateus Mane, who has remained at Molineux post-Deadline Day.

That is according to TEAMtalk, whilst it has also been revealed just exactly how the 18-year-old felt over a potential return to the Premier League following the Old Gold and Black's first relegation to the Championship since 2018.

The West Midlands outfit have entered a new era under the management of Portuguese head coach, Cesar Peixoto, at the beginning of this season, but have endured mixed fortunes so far.

Wanderers are currently the best-placed out of this season's newly-relegated sides, having won two, drawn one and lost one of their first four league outings.

There is a strong element of youthful energy within Peixoto's squad that has certainly made them exciting to watch so far, and Mane will certainly be hoping his recent decision is vindicated with a promotion bid.

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Mane's stock has risen quite drastically within the past 12 months, as he was one of very few bright sparks during the 2025/26 Premier League season for Wolves, as they only recorded three victories from 38 matches.

Having shone for the Black Country outfit at youth level for the Under-18s and Under-21s, it was the aforementioned Edwards who would hand the England youth international, who joined from Rochdale in 2023, his major first-team breakthrough.

After scoring three times in just 27 Premier League appearances, the 18-year-old left-winger had been linked with the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Borussia Dortmund this summer.

However, TEAMtalk claim that whilst conversations were held, Wolves turned down any late opportunity for Mane to join the Merseyside outfit and Manchester United, maintaining their no-sale stance this summer amid valuation claims sitting in the £50m ballpark.

It has also been reported that Mane was not actively pushing for a move, as he and his representatives believe a season of Championship football could aid his future development.

Mateus Mane was previously urged not to make Liverpool transfer after Wolves breakthrough

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Although, for many players, there is a strong temptation to remain in the Premier League, Mane will hope he is in an even stronger individual position next summer, with Wolves potentially back in the top-flight at the first time of asking too.

Links to Liverpool, in particular, have been constant in recent months, and earlier this summer, the Portugal-born star was urged by ex-Wolves hero, Don Goodman, to remain in WV1 rather than join Joao Gomes as a high-profile departee.

“If he went to Liverpool, I don’t think he’d get those minutes. Liverpool already have their own young talent, don’t they, in Rio Ngumoha? He’s actually even younger than Mané, so he would find himself down the pecking order to someone who is younger than him, I would think," said the pundit.

“I don’t think it would be a wise move right now. Of course, it’s a dream. Liverpool is an incredible club, one of the biggest in the world, and anyone would have their head turned if that option was on the table; but purely from a footballing perspective and for his own development, staying put is the best choice.”

Mateus Mane's start to life in the Championship with Wolves

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Mane has been first-choice for Wolves on the left flank so far this season, partly due to a pre-season injury sustained by Rafiki Said, who signed from Standard Liege to add further depth and quality in said position.

The highly-rated figure is yet to get off the mark in terms of Championship goal contributions, but he has still put in some solid, if not spectacular, performances.

As such, the Molineux faithful and Peixoto will be hoping they arrive soon, whilst it will also be music to their ears that the young talent was not pushing to leave the club despite a barrage of transfer links, meaning he could earn 'cult hero' status alongside his teammates if this season pans out the way some are expecting for the Midlands side.