Real Madrid star makes the list
The goalkeeping challenges faced by Manchester United were thrust into the limelight after their opening day Premier League loss to Arsenal on Sunday. André Onana was a key topic leading up to the match, with Ruben Amorim choosing to leave the Cameroonian out of the squad. After a lack of pre-season action, Onana had recently returned to full training, leaving Altay Bayındır to take the starting role at Old Trafford. Unfortunately, the Turkish international has struggled to impress following his arrival at United, and a crucial mistake from him led to Arsenal’s winning goal.
While Amorim, Bruno Fernandes, and several pundits suggested that Bayındır was unfairly obstructed by William Saliba, he should have dealt with the situation better; his mishandled clearance allowed Riccardo Calafiori to score. Amorim backed Bayındır in his post-match comments, clarifying that Onana was not dropped, but it’s clear United desperately needs a reliable first-choice goalkeeper, as emphasized by Gary Neville after the match. He remarked, “There’s an obvious problem that Manchester United cannot afford to overlook, and it is the urgent need for a goalkeeper.” Consequently, we have identified four potential goalkeeping options that could address United’s concerns.
Potential Goalkeeper Solutions for Manchester United
Gianluigi Donnarumma is on the market this summer following PSG’s decision to recruit Lucas Chevalier, making the Italian goalkeeper surplus to their needs. The 26-year-old played a pivotal role in guiding PSG to their first-ever Champions League title and has been openly critical of the club. Despite some recent criticism, Donnarumma remains one of the most valuable goalkeepers globally, valued at €40m, and attracting him to Old Trafford would require a significant financial commitment. His wage demands are also expected to be high. While it remains uncertain whether Manchester United can meet his financial expectations or persuade him to join their project, Manchester City has also shown interest.
Emiliano Martínez, who missed Aston Villa’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United due to a one-match suspension carried over from the previous season, is another candidate. Despite speculation regarding his future, Martínez is said to be seeking a new challenge this summer after seemingly bidding farewell in his last appearance at Villa Park. While some may argue he is somewhat overrated after twice being named the best goalkeeper in the world for his World Cup heroics, Martínez is undoubtedly a proven Premier League keeper who possesses the character to thrive at United.
Andriy Lunin from Real Madrid may be the hardest option to acquire, as the club has no intention of selling him this summer. Currently the second-choice behind Thibaut Courtois, Lunin has expressed a desire for regular first-team action. Since joining Madrid from Zorya Lugansk in 2018, he has made just 62 senior appearances, yet he remains highly regarded at the Santiago Bernabeu. Notably, he played a significant role in Madrid’s Champions League campaign which culminated in victory last season, though he lost his place for the final match. Lunin is a talented goalkeeper who would handle the pressures of playing for a major club should he transition from Madrid to Manchester.
Finally, Senne Lammens is being seen as a potential long-term successor to Courtois within the Belgian national team, and United has been closely monitoring him during his time at Royal Antwerp. According to Fabrizio Romano, United has reached an agreement on personal terms and is expected to make an offer for this promising goalkeeper. It is believed that Lammens could be secured for under €25m, but United may face competition from Inter Milan, who are also keen on the talented 23-year-old. Viewed as one of Europe’s best up-and-coming goalkeepers, questions remain regarding his readiness for a top-five league and the pressures of playing for a club of United’s stature.
