Yan Diomande hands Manchester United transfer dilemma

Manchester United, between now and the end of the 2025/26 campaign, will be looking to secure top four credentials as a means of getting themselves back into the Champions League.

Doing so will make the more appealing for summer targets, including RB Leipzig’s Yan Diomande.

Central to that will be how well last summer’s arrivals – Matheus Cunha, Benjamin Sesko and Bryan Mbeumo all spring to mind – can perform.

A statement of intent, the Red Devils still managed to lure elite talent to Old Trafford in the summer months and that was despite a record-low 15th-placed finish in the Premier League.

Under Michael Carrick’s tutelage, though, there have been glimmers of hope.

The former United midfielder has taken charge of five matches since his return to the Old Trafford hotseat and he is yet to be beaten, picking up wins against Arsenal and Manchester City in the process.

It remains to be seen whether he’ll be given the role on a permanent basis but there will already be inroads being made on potential summer targets.

There’s been a clear shift in United’s recruitment process in recent windows – and the young and exciting livewire, Yan Diomande, is the type of player who is now of interest.

Diomande has been strongly linked with a big money move on the back of his stellar performances in the Bundesliga this term.

The Ivory Coast international’s eight goals and six assists across all competitions have caught the eye of the powers that be at Bayern Munich.

“He’s a very good player, and it’s normal that when a Bundesliga player performs well or shows good development, he’s linked with Bayern,” were the words of Christoph Freund, the sporting director of Bayern.

But his recent comments – referring to the likes of Bayern being interested in his services – has given United a transfer dilemma.

“It’s always nice to hear something like that,” Diomande said when asked about the prospect of moving to Vincent Kompany’s side, according to Mundo Deportivo.

“I haven’t spoken to anyone from Bayern, it’s not the time. I’m happy here in Leipzig and I want to stay focused,” the 19-year-old – who moved to Germany from Leganes in the summer of 2025 – added.

In January, it was reported that United had submitted a proposal to RB Leipzig as they looked to tempt the young winger into moving to Manchester rather than another club.

Now, as we edge closer to a very important summer of business, it remains to be seen whether Diomande would be interested in a move away from the Red Bull Arena.

In the event that he is open to a new challenge, United would face competition from arch-rivals Liverpool, who are said to be the front-runners in the race for his signature.

Arne Slot’s side being in the mix for his services could spell trouble in United’s Diomande pursuit, too, given the devastating wide man is a boyhood fan of the Anfield-based club.