Years after a near-miss transfer and extensive scouting missions involving Darren Fletcher, Manchester United’s interest in Ismaila Sarr has resurfaced.
Ismaila Sarr got on the scoresheet against Belgium in the 2026 World Cup Round of 32 on Wednesday night, but it wasn’t enough to guide Senegal into the last 16.
The 28-year-old has plenty of experience playing in England after joining Watford from Rennes in 2019 and Crystal Palace from Marseille in 2024.
Now, Sarr could be on the move again following reemerging links to Old Trafford. There is no denying the Senegalese winger already has a history with United.
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Darren Fletcher scouted Ismaila Sarr
In 2022, Darren Fletcher scouted Sarr playing for Watford against West Brom in the Championship.
The former United midfielder, who is now in charge of United’s U18s side, watched on as Sarr scored from inside his own half against the Baggies.
However, in the same game, Sarr missed a penalty kick.
United never signed Sarr, but that doesn’t change the fact that they’ve done plenty of homework on his ability and main attributes.
Fletcher is unlikely to be part of the recruitment process, though I’m sure he will have something to say on the matter if he were asked.
Sarr scored 21 goals in 45 appearances last season as Crystal Palace won the Europa Conference League. Nine of those goals came in the Premier League, though he matched that tally in Europe.
- ⚡️ NEWS IN BRIEF
- Manchester United have been linked with Ismaila Sarr years after scouting the Crystal Palace winger
- Darren Fletcher was sent to scout Sarr in 2021
- Sarr has scored 21 goals in 45 appearance since signing for Palace from Marseille
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Man Utd considered Ismaila Sarr as Jadon Sancho alternative
Hindsight is a wonderful thing.
United considered moving for Sarr in 2020 as an alternative to Jadon Sancho, but didn’t sign either winger that summer.
Sancho would join United a year later and go on to become the club’s biggest flop, while Sarr continued to impress enough in England and France to remain a target for the Reds.
It is understood that Watford demanded £40m for Sarr, who was their record signing at the time, before United baulked at the demands.
Former Watford director Filippo Giraldi previously admitted that United were “extremely close” to signing Sarr during the summer of 2020.
Liverpool were also linked at the time, but United were closer to securing a deal for the winger.
Giraldi told the Here We Go podcast in 2021: “We were extremely close, I was personally negotiating with them.
“We weren’t able to reach an agreement. And I think Ismaila is very young, he will arrive for sure.
“He missed probably an opportunity, but I think also for his football to stay here and get 10 goals and 10 assists, he’s deciding the league.
“I think for Watford in the condition they are at the moment it’s lucky he stayed.
“I love Ismaila because he has the ability to affect the game every time he plays, and that’s quite rare.
“You see fast wingers becoming more and more important in physical leagues like the Premier League.
“I remember last year against Manchester United and Liverpool, he was the one with Gerard Deulofeu on the other side affecting the game and deciding the game every time.
“This type of player are players you have to try to maximise and protect them as much as you can.”
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