Mateus Fernandes is not the only West Ham player to be linked with a move to Champions League returnees Manchester United.
According to a variety of sources, El Hadji Malick Diouf had admirers at Old Trafford too.
But if that is indeed the case, it appears that West Ham United’s Senegal international is nowhere near as high on the Red Devils’ wishlist as, say, his London Stadium teammate Mateus Fernandes.
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The Guardian reported at the end of April that Man United could make a move for Diouf if there is still money in the bank for a long-term Luke Shaw replacement at left-back.
In the last 24 hours, however, two of the most reliable United sources have moved to play down the extent of their interest in the former Slavia Prague flyer.
El Hadji Malick Diouf unlikely to leave West Ham for Manchester United
The excellent Manchester United Muppetiers YouTube channel insists that Diouf is a player Michael Carrick’s side have considered. However, it is alleged that he ‘does not rate too highly’ among the chief decision makers behind the scenes at Old Trafford.
“There’s Diouf who we’ve been interested in, but I know he doesn’t rate too highly for the club,” Muppetiers host James Roades says. “Like, there’s a level that he rates at.
“I don’t want to talk down on him, but I would just be surprised if they ended up as like, ‘he’s the guy.’ He would definitely come in, in my opinion based on how they rate him, as Shaw’s back-up.
“Maybe they see somebody who can develop in the future into more but, certainly, he’s not that highly rated right now by the club.
“Yeah, he’s not ready.”
Sully Talkz, who was one of the first to report on Bryan Mbeumo’s move to Old Trafford from Brentford a year ago, is even more emphatic.
“It’s also understood that reports that United are interested in full-back El Hadji Diouf are wide of the mark,” they write.
Diouf linked with Crystal Palace and FC Porto
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In truth, Diouf had a difficult 2026. His form dipped following Senegal’s Africa Cup of Nations campaign.
After exploding onto the scene with three assists in his first five Premier League outings, Diouf would supply only two in his next 27.
There are lingering concerns over the 21-year-old’s defensive qualities, too. So with Man United in the market for players who can transform them from Champions League-chasers to genuine title challengers, more experienced, established operators such as Newcastle’s Lewis Hall and Bournemouth’s Adrien Truffert have moved ahead of Diouf in the pecking order.
Crystal Palace have emerged as a potential destination for Diouf in recent times. As have FC Porto. Both clubs feel like a more sensible next step for a youngster who still has a lot to learn, although West Ham would be under little pressure to let Diouf go on the cheap should they first sell the aforementioned Fernandes for somewhere close to their £60 million asking price.
“United and West Ham have begun club-to-club talks regarding Mateus Fernandes, although there is currently internal chaos at the London Stadium following David Sullivan’s departure, which could delay any potential transfer,” Sully Talkz explain.
“United have no desire to pay the reported £80 million asking price, and do not want any possible deal to drag on into a significant saga. Fernandes is still keen on a move to Old Trafford.”
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