Southampton will resist Manchester United's attempts to land Sadio Mane in January.

But there is a growing feeling at St Mary's that the exciting forward will leave at the end of the season.

Louis van Gaal wants to sign a winger in the transfer window and is set to return for Mane having failed to land him in the summer.

Southampton will resist Manchester United's attempts to land Sadio Mane (above) in January

United boss Louis van Gaal (above) wants to sign a winger in the transfer window and is set to bid for Mane

But the Saints are determined to keep Mane until at least the end of the season; manager Ronald Koeman viewing the Senegalese as vital to his plans.

United were willing to fork out around £20million to land Mane in the summer - a similar bid will be rejected by Southampton in January.

However, an offer nearer £40million could provoke a change of heart from Southampton; but the likelihood of such a mammoth bid seems unlikely.

Southampton want to extend Mane's contract, that expires in 2018.

United were willing to fork out around £20m to land Mane in the summer - a similar bid will be rejected

But the African has resisted the temptation of a new deal and Southampton believe signing Mane to an extension is unlikely.

That means the former Red Bull Salzburg forward's future is likely to come to a head at the end of the season, when he enters the final two years of his deal.