Manchester United Are The Frontrunners To Sign This Ligue 1 Starlet: One For The Future? | OneFootball

In a recent report, The Sun has stated that Manchester United are the frontrunners to sign FC Metz starlet Pape Sarr this summer. However, it is believed that the Red Devils could face stiff competition from Nice among other top European clubs in the race to land the Senegalese midfielder at the end of this campaign (via The Sun).

Sarr’s Rapid Rise In French Football This Season

The 18-year-old has managed to break out as a first-team starter at the Stade Saint-Symphorien this season and has done remarkably well to catch the eye by producing a few encouraging displays at the heart of the Metz midfield.

Sarr has scored three goals in 20 senior appearances for the French outfit this term in multiple competitions. The Senegalese whizkid deserves a lot of plaudits for influencing the game at both ends of the field by averaging 2.2 tackles, 1.2 interceptions, 0.5 clearances, 1.2 shots, 0.6 key passes and 0.8 dribbles per 90 minutes in the Ligue 1 this season. The talented teenager has also been accurate when distributing the ball from midfield after making 84.6% of his attempted passes in the French first division (stats via whoscored).

Sarr has already begun to show some glimpses of his potential during his debut season in France, so it is no surprise that the Red Devils are interested in acquiring his services during this summer transfer period.

Is Sarr A Prospect For The Future?

Sarr is a moderately paced midfield ace who can make some driving runs with the ball towards the opponent’s penalty area. He is a decent passer of the ball and also can strike it with power and precision from long range. Hence, he would bolster Man United’s youth options significantly in this off-season.

The Senegalese prospect has the tenacity to win possession back for his side. Plus, he can read the danger quickly that helps him clear his lines when required. However, Sarr is still quite raw and would need time before he is ready to be thrown into the deep waters of regular Premier League football.

The way the Metz wonderkid has been playing of late, there is no denying that he will be a prospect to look out for in the future. Hence, he could prove to be a massive coup for the Red Devils as he would add a lot of long-term value to their club.

Man United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is getting good at developing youth talent as evidenced by the recent rise of Mason Greenwood in recent seasons. Thus, the Norwegian head coach might fancy his chances of getting the best out of Sarr as he ticks all the right boxes in terms of what is required to be a future star at the Theatre of Dreams.