Real Madrid star featured
Manchester United’s goalkeeping woes were thrust into the limelight following their Premier League opening day loss to Arsenal on Sunday. André Onana became a key talking point pre-match, with Ruben Amorim excluding the Cameroonian keeper from the squad. Onana’s absence during pre-season and his recent return to full training resulted in Altay Bayındır being tasked with starting duties at Old Trafford. The Turkish international’s performance has raised doubts since joining United, and he was at fault for Arsenal’s decisive goal.
While Amorim, Bruno Fernandes, and several analysts pointed out that Bayındır was unlawfully impeded by William Saliba, the goalkeeper’s lack of decisiveness allowed Riccardo Calafiori to score. In the post-match comments, Amorim defended Bayındır, clarifying that Onana wasn’t dropped; nonetheless, Gary Neville emphasized the urgent need for United to secure a reliable starting goalkeeper. He stated, “There’s a significant issue that Manchester United cannot overlook—they need to identify a goalkeeper.” With this in mind, we’ve highlighted four potential goalkeepers who could fill the number one spot at Manchester United.
Four Goalkeeper Candidates for Manchester United
Gianluigi Donnarumma is currently available after Paris Saint-Germain opted to sign Lucas Chevalier, leaving the Italian goalkeeper surplus to requirements. The 26-year-old played a pivotal role in helping PSG secure their first UEFA Champions League title, although he has publicly criticized the club recently. As the joint-most valuable goalkeeper globally, valued at €40 million, luring him to Old Trafford would require a substantial financial package, as his wage demands would also be considerable. Despite some recent criticism regarding his performances in Paris, Donnarumma remains an elite goalkeeper. However, it raises questions whether Manchester United could afford him or persuade him to join, especially with Manchester City also considering a move.
Emiliano Martínez missed Aston Villa’s Premier League opener against Newcastle United due to a one-match suspension from the previous season, which has spurred speculation regarding his future. After seemingly saying goodbye to Villa Park during his last appearance, there are indications that Martinez is seeking a new challenge this summer. Although some argue he may be slightly overrated following his back-to-back “best goalkeeper in the world” accolades due to his exploits with Argentina at the World Cup, the 32-year-old is undeniably a proven Premier League goalkeeper with the necessary character to thrive at United.
Andriy Lunin presents perhaps the most challenging acquisition from this list, as Real Madrid is reluctant to sell the Ukrainian keeper this summer. Lunin currently plays second fiddle to Thibaut Courtois but has expressed a desire for regular first-team football. Since making the move to Madrid from Zorya Lugansk in 2018, Lunin has made only 62 senior appearances in seven years, yet he remains highly valued at the Santiago Bernabeu. Notably, he featured in the last 16, quarter-finals, and semi-finals during Madrid’s 2023/24 Champions League campaign before losing his spot for the final. Lunin is an impressive goalkeeper who would likely cope with the pressures of representing a major club, making a transfer to Manchester plausible.
Senne Lammens is viewed as the future successor to Courtois for the Belgian national team, and Manchester United has scouted him extensively during his tenure at Royal Antwerp. Reports from Fabrizio Romano suggest that United have reached a verbal agreement on personal terms and may soon submit a formal offer for the promising goalkeeper. Lammens could be available for a fee under €25 million, but United will face competition, particularly from Inter Milan, who are also keen on securing his services. At just 23 years old, he is regarded as one of Europe’s top emerging goalkeepers, though questions remain about whether he is ready to step up to a top-five league, let alone a club as prestigious as Manchester United.
