Central midfield is the priority position for Manchester United this summer.
With Casemiro on his way out and Manuel Ugarte expected to follow, it’s an area in need of strengthening. Kobbie Mainoo’s new contract was just the start for the Manchester giants.
In this article, we’ll cover:
It’s not the only position that United will look to build upon when the transfer window opens. With the club on the cusp of a Champions League return, they need cover and competition all across the board.
Why United are targeting a new left-back
And if reports on Thursday are to be believed, then left-back is another position United are seeking to bolster. Head coach Michael Carrick does have options at left-back. Luke Shaw has remarkably remained injury free this season, at least until his second half withdrawal against Brentford.
Even so, Shaw has started every league game this season. He’s registered 2881 minutes of game time this season. It’s the most in a single campaign since 2013-14, where he managed 2995 minutes of action. The issue, though, is the 30-year-old is never far from a spell on the sidelines.
BetMGM sign-up offer: Get £40 in bonuses when you bet £10
Not signed up to BetMGM yet? Here's how eligible readers* can take advantage of their welcome offer:
- Open an account at BetMGM using this link.
- Select the Sports Welcome Offer.
- Get the offer from the ‘My Offers’ page.
- Deposit and place a £10 bet at odds of 1/1 (2.0) or greater.
- When it settles, unlock £40 in bonuses
New customers only. 7 days to place qualifying bet of £10 at 1/1 (2.0) to receive 4 x £10 Free Bets. 7 day expiry. Exclusions apply. Stake not returned. 18+. Full T&Cs apply. 18+ GambleAware.org
Last season, for example, the England international only mustered 349 minutes of top-flight action. And with an increase in competitive fixtures looming, Shaw’s body wouldn’t be able to handle the increase in matches. Patrick Dorgu may have returned to first-team duties following time out, yet the Dane is viewed by Carrick as a more attacking player.
Diouf a key man for West Ham
As such, the request for a new left-back makes sense. And it’s been reported that West Ham’s El Hadji Malick Diouf has emerged as a potential target. That shouldn’t come as a surprise either.
The 21-year-old has established himself as a key player for the Hammers following his arrival from Slavia Prague last summer. The path from Prague to London is one previously walked by Tomas Soucek and Vladimir Coufal. Diouf, though, is far and away the most exciting of the trio.
In terms of attacking output, there are none better than Diouf in the Premier League. In fact, of defenders, none have registered more assists than the Senegal international (5) in England’s top tier this term. For context, Shaw has just one assist to his name in the 2025-26 Premier League campaign.
Diouf vs Shaw compared
Since the start of the 2021-22 season, Shaw has registered just six league assists. Diouf is also outperforming Shaw for chances created per 90 (0.9 to 0.5), and is more than willing to put the ball into the box.
Indeed, Diouf ranks better for crosses (3.3 to 1.6) and open play crosses per 90 (0.8 to 0.1). The Hammers star boasts the superior cross accuracy, too (25.58% to 12.5%). United as a team have the fifth best cross accuracy (26.7%) in England’s top tier this term. Having a player of Diouf’s ability would only see this figure rise.
In terms of overall distribution, Shaw does trump Diouf. The United man is making more passes per 90 (49.2 to 33.6) and has the better pass accuracy (86.9% to 73.73%), though given the different approach implemented by United and West Ham, that’s hardly a shock.
United, after all, rank eighth for possession (52.4%), while West Ham are 19th (42.1%) for this metric. It stands to reason that Shaw would perform better for the relevant passing metrics, especially with the onus on the United defenders to build attacks from the back.
In a team that isn’t so reliant on quickly transitioning from defence to attack, this side to Diouf’s game would improve in time. In terms of work off the ball, Shaw does perform better for tackles per 90 (2.2 to 1.5), while Diouf contests more ground duels per 90 (5.9 to 5.2). Both average 1.2 interceptions per 90. This latter quality is vital, especially with the Senegal star prepared to bombard upfield when needs must.
West Ham summer exodus on the horizon?
While left-back isn’t quite so high on the club’s priority list this summer, it’s still an area in need of refinement. Shaw won’t be able to hack a game every three days in the coming campaign. Having an attack-minded full-back of Diouf’s calibre would be a huge benefit to the club.
Diouf adjusted to the rigours of Premier League football with ease. The Hammers have a plethora of players who could feasibly go on to bigger and better things next season regardless of which division they are playing in next season.
Jarrod Bowen and Mateus Fernandes are two who could go on to secure high-profile summer moves. Diouf is another that would slot in seamlessly elsewhere. United’s rumoured interest is not without merit.