ไทย
English
中國人
Manchester United's transfer activity this summer has largely centered around midfielders, left wingers and left backs. However, attention has recently begun shifting toward the goalkeeper position.
Addressing those three outfield areas remains a top priority for the Red Devils heading into 2026–27, especially in central midfield, where as many as three new signings may be needed to adequately strengthen squad depth before their Champions League return.
Yet goalkeeper is another position Manchester United genuinely need to address this summer. The names already linked to a potential move—Karl Darlow, Sam Johnstone, Angus Gunn—may have caught supporters off guard, but there is sound reasoning behind the pursuit.
Why Do Man Utd Need to Sign a Goalkeeper?
The need to bring in a goalkeeper at United is not about replacing current first-choice Senne Lammens, but rather about restoring backup cover that appears set to thin out by the time autumn arrives.
Lammens was awarded Barclays Transfer of the Season at the Premier League's end-of-season ceremony, recognized as the finest signing across the entire top flight in 2025–26. That is a remarkable achievement given the young Belgian was barely known outside his home country a year ago, and was competing against the likes of Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, João Pedro and Granit Xhaka.
With Lammens having firmly cemented his place as the undisputed starter, both Altay Bayındır—who held the No. 1 shirt from August through October last season—and André Onana look set to depart. Both are capable of securing starting roles elsewhere and face what appears to be an insurmountable challenge in displacing Lammens.
United have already brought back fan favorite Tom Heaton on a fresh one-year deal as third-choice goalkeeper, a position that revolves far more around training contributions, mentorship and dressing room influence than match appearances. Even so, a new No. 2 will still be required.
Dependable Experience Important in No. 2 Goalkeeper Search
Finding the right balance in a backup goalkeeper role is rarely straightforward.
Pairing two similarly matched contenders seldom ends well, as United discovered with David de Gea and Dean Henderson several years back. That dynamic alone makes it difficult for Onana to stay, setting aside any other considerations. In a similar vein, once Arsenal brought in David Raya in 2023, Aaron Ramsdale's position became untenable. James Trafford is also widely expected to leave Manchester City this summer in search of regular first-team football after being overtaken by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
A clearer pecking order—where each goalkeeper understands his role, yet the deputy can be relied upon to perform when called upon—is the more effective model. Liverpool operated this way successfully with Alisson and Caoimhín Kelleher until the Irishman eventually outgrew the backup role last season.
In Darlow, Johnstone or Gunn—the last of whom emerged as the newest name in the frame this week according to fresh reports—United would secure a dependable, experienced reserve with no expectation of challenging Lammens for the starting spot. None of the three would demand significant transfer fees either, which suits a club that must direct the bulk of its spending toward other positions on the pitch.