Gary Neville Tips 'Big Talent' Ismaila Sarr as Potential Manchester United Transfer Target
By Max Cooper
Former Manchester United defender Gary Neville believes his former club should be targeting a summer move for Watford star Ismaila Sarr, describing the winger as a 'big, big talent.'
The Senegal international has adapted excellently to life in the Premier League, showing flashes of his devastating potential in a Hornets team struggling at the wrong end of the table.
Watford suffered a disappointing 3-1 defeat to West Ham on Friday evening, but Sarr continued to impress Neville, despite being on the wrong end of the result.
Speaking on the Gary Neville Podcast after the final whistle, the former Man Utd full-back praised the 22-year-old's performance, and he believes the Red Devils should make a move for the 'sought after' talisman.
"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."
And discussing what makes Sarr so special, Neville lauded the Watford winger's versatility and unpredictability, claiming that as a full-back, you simply 'can't win' against a player of his talent.
"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 particularly impressed in Watford's shock 3-0 victory over champions Liverpool in February, scoring two on the evening and condemning the Reds to their first league defeat of the season.
Should the Hornets suffer relegation this year, there are no doubts that their talented winger will be in high demand from their Premier League rivals - and Man Utd may be included in that list.