Man United impressed by El Hadji Malick Diouf, he’s 4 x Luke Shaw for one key metric
El Hadji Malick Diouf is seen as the ideal profile for Manchester United in their search for a new left-back this summer, sources have told Football Insider.
The West Ham star “ticks a lot of boxes” for the Red Devils due to his “attacking prowess,” with the Old Trafford outfit keen to add an athletic, exciting player in that area of the pitch.
The 21-year-old is seen as a player who is only going to get better as he builds his career in the Premier League, and sources say that is another major reason behind United’s interest.
Diouf is currently fighting relegation at West Ham, and United are already lurking to try to prise him away from the London Stadium this summer.
United’s transfer plans have seen a new left-back become one of their top priorities ahead of next season, as they are desperate to add quality competition for Luke Shaw.
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VISIT THE TRANSFER HUBMan United impressed by El Hadji Malick Diouf impact at West Ham
Diouf has won many admirers during his debut campaign in the Premier League, as he already has five league assists for West Ham this season.
The Hammers splashed out just £19million to sign him last summer, but he has quickly become one of their key figures in their battle against the drop in recent months.
| Diouf | Stats | Shaw |
| 29 (27) | Apps (Starts) | 35 (35) |
| 5 | G/A | 1 |
| 0.88 | Chances Created per 90 | 0.49 |
| 0.85 | Successful Crosses per 90 | 0.24 |
| 1.47 | Tackles per 90 | 2.15 |
| 4.5 | Duels Won per 90 | 4.85 |
The 21-year-old combines a quality delivery into the box with tireless energy on the left flank, and United have already decided that he would be the perfect fit for their system next term.
Shaw provides experience and defensive solidity on the left side of the backline for them at the moment, but they are searching for a more dynamic option to compete against him.
The Red Devils are looking to try to take advantage of West Ham’s current plight and snatch Diouf away from them at the end of the season, with the chances of that set to increase drastically if the East Londoners are relegated.
Hammers set to be ‘forced’ into Diouf sale this summer
Former Manchester United chief scout Mick Brown told Football Insider back in January that West Ham could be “forced” to sell Diouf if they are relegated, with the player not expected to be happy playing in the Championship.
Nuno Espirito Santo’s side look set to field interest in several of their key players ahead of next season, with clubs circling to try to take advantage of their struggles on the pitch.
Brown believes that the interest in Diouf extends beyond just his former club at the moment, as he suggested that several top sides had scouts watching him at the AFCON tournament earlier in the campaign.
The youngster has shone for West Ham during a difficult campaign at the London Stadium, and there is now an ever-growing chance that they could lose him this summer.
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