Louis Saha Recommends Manchester United Move for Everton Attacker Iliman Ndiaye
Former Manchester United striker Louis Saha has publicly advised his old club to pursue a summer transfer for Everton's dynamic forward Iliman Ndiaye. Saha, who also played for Everton during his career, described the Senegalese international as an "amazing talent" who would be a perfect fit for United's attacking ambitions.
Ndiaye's Premier League Pedigree and Playing Style
Iliman Ndiaye joined Everton from Marseille nearly two years ago in a £15 million transfer and has since developed into one of the Premier League's most entertaining and creative players. Saha provided a detailed analysis of Ndiaye's qualities during an interview with AceOdds.com, offering a fascinating comparison to current United players.
"Ndiaye, from the moment he signed, he's been an amazing talent," Saha stated. "I would love to see him, maybe at some point at Man Utd, to be honest. He's a very skillful player. I like Ndiaye's style. Like Mbeumo, he's comfortable with the ball. His work rate is very good... he's a bit like a mix of Amad and Mbeumo to be honest."
This endorsement comes at a time when Manchester United have shown significant improvement under interim manager Michael Carrick. The team has recorded impressive victories against Manchester City, Arsenal, Fulham, and Tottenham, demonstrating the attacking potential that was largely suppressed under previous manager Ruben Amorim's rigid 3-4-3 system.
Manchester United's Resurgence Under Carrick
The managerial change has particularly benefited players like Bryan Mbeumo and Amad Diallo, who have flourished in Carrick's more fluid approach. Despite a recent draw against West Ham United, where Benjamin Sesko scored a last-minute equalizer, the overall momentum at Old Trafford remains positive with Champions League qualification appearing increasingly achievable.
Saha emphasized that regardless of who becomes the permanent manager next summer, United should prioritize strengthening their squad with inventive players like Ndiaye who can enhance their creative capabilities in the final third of the pitch.
Kobbie Mainoo's Remarkable Return to Form
The interview also focused on the resurgence of young midfielder Kobbie Mainoo, whose return to the starting lineup has coincided with United's improved results. The 20-year-old academy graduate was effectively sidelined under Amorim and appeared destined to leave the club last summer, but has now established himself as a crucial component of United's midfield.
Saha believes Mainoo's performances have put him in contention for England's World Cup squad, stating: "I think that now Mainoo has found his form, he can get into Tuchel's World Cup squad. Especially because he plays for Manchester United. He's got the best platform to do that. He's been very impressive."
The former French international highlighted Mainoo's four consecutive impressive performances since returning to the team, suggesting that England manager Thomas Tuchel would certainly be monitoring his progress closely.
Areas for Improvement and Future Potential
While praising Mainoo's technical abilities and physical competitiveness, Saha identified specific areas where the young midfielder could enhance his game further. "Mainoo needs to resettle after all the pressure and talk about his future," Saha noted. "His game still needs to improve, and he can improve. Maybe he can be more aggressive in his attacking, but right now, maybe isn't the right moment for that."
Saha specifically encouraged Mainoo to develop a more prolific goalscoring presence, drawing comparisons to legendary United midfielders: "I would like to see him show his confidence in scoring goals like Scholes, Carrick and Darren Fletcher did and bombard forward. Technically, he is gifted and can score goals."
The former striker also praised Mainoo's effective partnership with Casemiro in midfield, noting how their skills complement each other perfectly within Carrick's tactical framework.
As Manchester United continue their push for Champions League qualification, Saha's dual recommendations—both for signing Iliman Ndiaye and for developing Kobbie Mainoo's goalscoring instincts—highlight the strategic thinking that could shape the club's future success in domestic and European competitions.
