11 Jun 2026 20:03 BST |
6 min read
Manchester United’s need for new midfielders this summer is well known. It was an area of weakness for Michael Carrick’s side last season and will lose its outstanding figure in the form of Casemiro, who has already announced his intention to depart on a free transfer.
The Red Devils have already undertaken some work to repair and enhance this area of the squad. Ederson is set to arrive from Atalanta in a deal worth €45 million. That agreement is already in place and should be concluded in a matter of weeks.
Elsewhere, United remain hopeful that a deal can be struck for a marquee player. Elliot Anderson is the dream man they have in mind, though his elevated transfer fee from Nottingham Forest will provide a sizeable barrier to a deal being struck. ESPN reports that their Premier League rivals want a British record fee for the England midfielder.
But United remain attentive to opportunities elsewhere in the transfer market.
One of those has emerged in the form of Lens midfielder Mamadou Sangare, who may just be the ultimate all-action player they crave – and at a price point they are comfortable with.
The Mali international has emerged as a target for the Red Devils, with FootMercato reporting that United have “fallen under Sangare’s spell”.
Mamadou Sangare: Why Man Utd want to sign Lens midfielder
Sangare’s attraction is clear: he provides boundless energy in the midfield and is constantly involved in the game, both in a defensive and attacking sense.
The 23-year-old was the ultimate box-to-box player in Ligue 1 last season. Three goals and four assists in 29 Ligue 1 appearances only scrape the surface of what he is capable of.
He finished the season having produced the second-most tackles won (54), the 11th most interceptions (40) and the 26th most shots (53) across all players in the league. His impact at both ends of the field was such that he is the only player to finish the campaign with 50+ tackles and shots.
Remarkably, all this was achieved despite only arriving at the club from Rapid Vienna in an €8m deal midway through August and missing a month of the season due to AFCON commitments with Mali.
Recognition of his efforts came in the form of the Marc-Vivien Foe prize, which is awarded to the top African player each year in Ligue 1.
For a side like United that can lack mobility in the heart of the field, a player of Sangare’s build is priceless because of the volume of ground he can cover. Indeed, it’s a task he positively relishes.
“I love going after the opponent. I’ve really improved in that area… I really enjoy that aspect of my game because it gives me real pleasure to win back possession,” he told RFI.
He may lack the experience and class of Casemiro, but he makes up for that in terms of his volume of output.
Any weaknesses?
Sangare’s physicality has been outlined as a potential weakness, yet he sees this as a strength.
“My physique, considered a bit frail, wasn’t a handicap. I can still improve in that area, but it’s not a disadvantage. I even think it’s an advantage because it allows me to be a bit more flexible in my tackles and when I’m playing the ball out from the back,” he said.
Instead, he says his biggest weakness is mental.
“I need to work on a few things, like my concentration. I also need to be more decisive, but physically, I feel up to the task,” he said.
This aspect of being decisive seemed to come together for him towards the end of the season as he registered four goal contributions in the final nine Ligue 1 matches – not bad for a player who starts the game so deep.
A calculated risk
United’s risk will be mitigated by a comparatively cheap transfer fee. The Red Devils are seeking to work in the €40-50m bracket, much like their deal for Ederson.
While Sangare’s Estimated Transfer Value (ETV) sits at €12.3m, in reality he will be going for a figure several times that price given that he has smashed expectations in Lens, who, like United, are heading into the Champions League next season.
There is certainly an element of risk in such a move. Sangare, after all, has never played for a club the stature of the Red Devils and neither has he been tested at a European level higher than the Conference League, but this is a player with a huge heart is matched only by his potential.
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