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Manchester United are expected to make a left‑winger signing this summer.
Sacrificing Alejandro Garnacho, Marcus Rashford and Jadon Sancho in an all‑in effort to assemble Ruben Amorim’s dream team, a process that began with a move for number 10s, has ultimately come back to bite the Red Devils. As a consequence, United now have no natural left‑wingers at the club.
Now, with caretaker head coach Michael Carrick reverting to a system that relies on wingers, he has had to depend on Matheus Cunha and Patrick Dorgu to fill in on the left.
Left winger needed
Therefore, signing a natural left winger is top of the agenda at Old Trafford.
Already, some exciting wingers have been linked with a move. However, the top targets look likely to be far too expensive.
Moreover, with a desire to overhaul the midfield, it may be difficult for United to rebuild that engine room and still pull off a marquee left‑winger signing. Consequently, Ineos may have to move for more gettable targets, one of whom could be Said El Mala.
Heading into the winter transfer window, El Mala was heavily linked with a move to United. The Red Devils were among the clubs captivated by the FC Koln winger, whose explosiveness and directness see him thrive in open spaces. In particular, he combines blistering pace, physical strength and elite dribbling to cut inside from the left and create or finish goalscoring opportunities.
Unfortunately, United did not move to sign him in January. The changes to the technical bench following Ruben Amorim’s sacking, coupled with uncertainty over who would take charge, are likely to have thwarted any chance of United making signings in the winter.
As United’s interest cooled, it was Brighton & Hove Albion who instead seemed determined to close a deal for El Mala.
Stars aligning for United to go for El Mala
Yet, while confirming that the Seagulls have pulled out of the race, Sky Sports Germany’s Florian Plettenberg has dropped some transfer news that should catch United’s attention.
He reports:
“FC Koln are pushing for a quick sale of Said El Mala, preferably to the Premier League. There is no fixed asking price, but internally they are convinced that “€40 million will not be enough”.
“Talks with other English clubs are ongoing. No agreements or final decisions have been made yet.”
🚨📈 1. FC Köln are pushing for a quick sale of Said El Mala, preferably to the Premier League. There is no fixed asking price, but internally they are convinced that “€40 million will not be enough”. #Effzeh
Brighton are seriously interested, offers were made but at that… pic.twitter.com/djAnhAPQb9
— Florian Plettenberg (@Plettigoal) April 3, 2026
Hopefully, United are among those English clubs in conversation.
Brilliant option for United
At just 19, El Mala is one of the most exciting wingers in the Bundesliga, a player even Bayern Munich have admired. Thus, at around €40m (£35m), he could prove a shrewd signing for United.
Furthermore, having contributed ten goals and three assists in 27 games, many of them from the bench, INEOS should surely relish the prospect of getting the best out of the Germany under‑21 international. Ultimately, if a blockbuster move for either Yan Diomande or Iliman Ndiaye falls through, a swoop for El Mala makes an awful lot of sense.
Featured image Alexander Hassenstein via Getty Images
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