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Gary Neville suggests Manchester United should sign Ismaila Sarr as Jadon Sancho alternative


The former right-back has been hugely impressed by the Watford winger (Pictures: Getty Images)

Gary Neville believes Manchester United should be looking at Watford winger Ismail Sarr as a potential summer signing, describing him as a ‘big, big talent’.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to strengthen his frontline this summer despite the excellent recent goalscoring form of Marcus Rashford, Anthony Martial and Mason Greenwood, with Borussia Dortmund’s Jadon Sancho his top target.

But with Dortmund holding out for in excess of £100million, Neville has proposed Sarr as a cheaper option to play on the right wing at Old Trafford – particularly if Watford are relegated.

Neville was impressed by Sarr despite being on the losing team against West Ham (Getty)

Speaking on Sky Sports’ The Gary Neville Podcast after Watford’s defeat to West Ham on Friday, he said of Sarr: ‘Manchester United need a right winger. He’s a big, big talent, honestly he really is.

‘We’ve seen his performances before but tonight he was a shining light, even in that first half there were periods where Watford did attack and it was through him. So yeah he’ll be sought after and Watford will, I’m sure, cash in if they get the right bid.’

On what makes Sarr so good, Neville continued: ‘I always think, particularly as a wide player, what would I have not wanted to have played against?

‘The first thing is pace. And then you’ve got to think about, can he use his pace? Well yes he can, because he makes really good quality runs: the spin in behind, straight, but also the run inside in between full-back and centre-back – which I always think is the most difficult to mark.

‘And then you think, well has he got quality on the ball? Could you just left him have it? Sometimes you’ve got quick players, let him have the ball.

‘But when you let him have the ball, he can get it out of his feet and whip ridiculously good crosses in. So that’s when you’re thinking about the fact that you’ve got a real problem, as a full-back.

‘Because if I get tight, he’s going to spin in behind me. If I drop off him, he’s just going to get an easy cross in and you can’t win.

Sarr has five goals and three assists in 20 Premier League starts (Picture: Getty)

‘That’s where sometimes you’ve just got to hold your hands up as a full-back and – I’ve said it many, many times – don’t be embarrassed about asking for help. If the player that you’re playing against is special and he’s causing you too many problems.

‘I actually thought Aaron Cresswell did really, really well. He stuck to his task, but he’ll come off that game tonight knowing that he’s had a tough game and he’ll be thankful in that dressing room. He won’t be celebrating.

‘I’ve been there, where you come off and you think, “Oof, I’ve had a tough game there, but I’ve dug in”. And his manager will go over to him and say, “Well done, you stuck at your task, you were playing against a really good player”.’

MORE: Gary Neville fires warning to Manchester United over delaying Jadon Sancho transfer

MORE: Jadon Sancho? Ole Gunnar Solskjaer admits speaking to Marcus Rashford about Manchester United target

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