(Credit: Imago)

Pete O'Rourke, Transfer Correspondent

Mon 9 March 2026 12:48, UK

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Manchester United are keeping close tabs on Nottingham Forest midfielder Ibrahim Sangare as they plot a potential summer move, sources have told Football Insider.

United have got the Ivorian on their radar at the moment as an option to strengthen their midfield, but he is not one of their main priorities for the upcoming summer window.

However, if the Old Trafford outfit fail to nail down their top targets in the early stages of the window, then they may turn towards a deal with Forest.

Man United’s recruitment team have identified the 28-year-old as a player who could make the step up to play for an elite club, and sources say that Forest may even be forced into offloading him if they are relegated.

Ibrahim Sangare’s experience sparks Man United decision

Sangare is now into his third full season at the City Ground, and he has finally been able to cement himself in the starting XI.

The former PSV Eindhoven man started just 20 games across his opening two Premier League campaigns, but he is already just one start away from matching that total this time around.

He has impressed alongside Elliot Anderson in the middle of the park, despite the Reds enduring a particularly rocky season.

His displays for the East Midlands outfit have piqued the interest of one of the division’s top clubs in United, who are also said to be impressed by his experience.

Sangare arrived in England with experience in both the Champions League and Europa League from his time at PSV, and he has added to that with another Europa campaign with Forest this term.

United now face a decision as to whether they want to accelerate their interest, or whether they are happy to admire him from afar at the moment.

Man United to benefit from Forest ‘fire sale’

Football Insider revealed last week that Nottingham Forest could be forced into a “fire sale” of some of their key players if they suffer relegation into the Championship.

The likes of Anderson, Murillo and now Sangare have all attracted interest from some of the Premier League’s ‘big six’ of late, and they will lack the power to keep hold of their stars if they finish inside the bottom three.

United may not view Sangare as one of their top targets at the moment, but relegation for Forest would likely make a deal significantly easier for them, while also potentially reducing the fee that would be needed.

Top clubs from across Europe are likely to have one eye on how the situation at the City Ground unfolds in the final few games of the season, while United are one of those who could stand to benefit from them going down.