Manchester United's pursuit of a much needed left sided spark has hit a significant snag, with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal now in direct talks to sign...
Manchester United's pursuit of a much needed left sided spark has hit a significant snag, with Saudi Arabian side Al Hilal now in direct talks to sign Everton's Iliman Ndiaye. The Senegalese winger has been on United's radar for some time, a player whose low centre of gravity and sharp dribbling in tight spaces could offer the sort of directness Erik ten Hag's side has often lacked when facing a low block.But here is the rub. United's ability to push this deal forward has been hamstrung by the ongoing uncertainty surrounding Marcus Rashford's future at Old Trafford. If Rashford stays, where does that leave Ndiaye in the pecking order If he goes, the need becomes urgent, yet the club's transfer strategy appears to be in a holding pattern, waiting for a resolution that may not come until late in the window.Al Hilal, by contrast, are not waiting. They have identified Ndiaye as a player who can add genuine thrust to their wide areas, and with the financial muscle of the Saudi Pro League behind them, they can offer Everton an immediate and attractive package. For a player who has only recently re established himself in the Premier League after a difficult spell abroad, the lure of a lucrative move to the Middle East cannot be dismissed out of hand.United's recruitment team must now decide whether to accelerate their interest or accept that this particular ship may have sailed. The problem is not just Ndiaye himself. It is the signal this sends. If a club of United's stature is being outmanoeuvred in a deal for a player who, while talented, is not yet a household name, what does that say about their pulling power in the current marketTen Hag needs reinforcements. Supporters know it. The board knows it. Yet the inertia around Old Trafford's decision making continues to leave them vulnerable to rivals who are quicker to act. Al Hilal have placed their cards on the table. United, for now, are still shuffling the deck.
