Manchester United are reportedly keeping tabs on Everton winger Iliman Ndiaye, who could arrive as a replacement for Marcus Rashford.
The Red Devils are currently occupied with their midfield overhaul. After recruiting Andrey Santos and Youri Tielemans last week, they’re now planning to round off the department, potentially by launching an onslaught for Roma’s Manu Kone.
As for their attacking plans, any arrivals are almost exclusively predicated on departures, with Rashford and Joshua Zirzkee facing uncertain fates.
Man United want Iliman Ndiaye if Rashford leaves
After failing to secure a permanent transfer to Barcelona, Rashford is now expected to report to training at Carrington following his vacation, barring any developments on the market in the next three weeks.
Rashford is believed to be ‘increasingly likely’ to play for his original club next summer, after spending the last 18 months on loan at Aston Villa and Barcelona.
In the latest update posted on his YouTube channel, Italian journalist Fabrizio Romano confirms that the 28-year-old is intrigued by a reunion with his former teammate, Michael Carrick, and that the feeling is reciprocal.
But while Rashford’s situation at the club has massively improved since Ruben Amorim’s departure in January, a departure isn’t completely out of the question.
The 28-year-old is ready to entertain offers, but he has yet to receive a tempting offer from a top club.
With Rashford still on the books, United’s attempts to buy Cresencio Summerville from West Ham have been halted, giving Roma a golden opportunity to close the deal.
The Italian capital side has already submitted three bids for the Dutch winger, as they close in on an agreement with the Hammers.
Therefore, if Man Utd end up selling Rashford at some stage this summer, Summerville is unlikely to be still available at that stage, so Romano believes Ndiaye could be the top target in that case.
The journalist describes the Senegalese international as a ‘crucial, crucial player’ for Everton, so he certainly wouldn’t come on the cheap.
What are Man Utd’s chances of landing Ndiaye
As Romano explained, United can only bring in Ndiaye, or any other left winger for that matter, if they can find new accommodation for Rashford, who has become the club’s highest earner following Casemiro’s departure, with a reported weekly salary of £325k.
At the age of 26, the Everton star might feel this is the time to make a significant career step-up, but instead of waiting for a vacancy at MUFC, he might be willing to entertain Aston Villa’s offer, as he would also have the opportunity to play in the Champions League.
Stats in 25/26 Age Club Appearances Goals Assists
Marcus Rashford 28 Barcelona 49 14 14
Iliman Ndiaye 26 Everton 34 6 3
Crysencio Summerville 24 West Ham 34 7 5
Hence, Man Utd must resolve Rashford’s future, one way or the other, as soon as possible, as finding a top-notch replacement will become increasingly more challenging as the weeks go by, and they have already seen one of their top targets (Summerville) slip through their fingers, while others likes Ndiaye could soon follow suit.
Michel is a football journalist based in Beirut who has been passionately following Man United for over 20 years. He is a Law graduate and a member of the Beirut Bar Association. In addition to writing for Utd Report, he is also the Head Writer for The Laziali has been a Featured Writer on other websites including Juve FC, and The Cult of Calcio, and Stretty News.
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