Iliman Ndiaye open to Marseille return and Man Utd interest

The pull of Marseille remains a defining factor in Iliman Ndiaye’s career narrative. Despite now plying his trade in the Premier League with Everton, the Senegalese international has left the door firmly open for a return to the club he has supported since childhood. His initial spell at the Stade Velodrome may have been brief, but the emotional ties clearly endure.

Reflecting on his time in Ligue 1, Ndiaye acknowledges that he was perhaps not the finished article when he first arrived at Marseille. The leap from English football to the intense pressure of the Velodrome required a level of refinement he was still developing. However, those growing pains have not dampened his affection for the French giants.

Speaking to France Football, the forward was candid about his ongoing relationship with his former employers. While focused on his current responsibilities at Goodison Park, the possibility of a second chapter in the south of France is something he refuses to dismiss. For a player who grew up idolising the club, the lure of unfinished business is palpable.

Ndiaye's stock continues to rise in England, where his performances for Everton have begun to attract attention from the league's elite. Manchester United are among the clubs credited with an interest in the versatile attacker, suggesting that his tactical evolution since leaving France is being noted by high-level scouts.

Yet, even as potential grander domestic moves loom, the shadow of Marseille persists. It is rare for a player to speak so openly about a former side while under contract elsewhere, but Ndiaye has never hidden his identity as a supporter first and a professional second. His admission provides a glimmer of hope for the Marseille faithful who value such deep-rooted loyalty.

Whether a return materialises in the near future remains to be seen, particularly given the financial dynamics of the Premier League and the interest from Old Trafford. For now, Ndiaye remains an Everton asset, but his recent comments ensure that the connection to Marseille will remain a recurring theme in every transfer window.