Manchester United Close to Fixing Goalkeeping Problems as They Agree Deal With Two Targets

Manchester United's goalkeeping department has been a persistent issue for several years. Despite numerous attempts to secure a reliable number one, the club has yet to find a long-term solution between the posts.

David de Gea, once considered one of the world's best during his time with the Red Devils, saw his form decline sharply in his final years at Old Trafford. The Spaniard struggled with distribution and made repeated errors under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag, ultimately leading to his departure.

Following De Gea's exit in 2023, Manchester United signed Andre Onana from Inter Milan for approximately £50 million. The club hoped his elite ball-playing skills and standout performances during Inter's run to the 2022-23 Champions League final would provide a reliable presence and elevate the team.

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However, Onana's tenure has been marred by frequent mistakes in both the Premier League and European competitions. This led to backup keeper Altay Bayindir being given a chance as the main shot-stopper at the start of the 2025-26 campaign.

The Turkish international has also failed to inspire confidence. Alarmingly, both Bayindir and Onana have been guilty of glaring errors in just the first four matches of the season, prompting Man Utd to intensify their search for a new number one in the final hours of the transfer window.

Here, we examine the two main options Manchester United are pursuing to resolve their long-standing goalkeeping dilemma.

Love him or hate him, Emiliano Martinez has emerged as one of the world's top goalkeepers since his 2020 move from Arsenal to Aston Villa. His proven ability on the biggest stages makes him an arguably ideal candidate for Manchester United.

The 32-year-old has not only become one of the Premier League's best but has also established himself internationally with Argentina. He was instrumental in their back-to-back Copa America titles and their 2022 World Cup victory, where he was the penalty shootout hero in both the quarter-final and the final.

Martinez's reputation as a man for big moments is an attractive quality for Manchester United, who have lacked a goalkeeper capable of rising to the occasion in high-pressure situations since De Gea's peak years.

Furthermore, Martinez's confidence and commanding presence—attributes that help him dominate his box and organise his defence—are qualities that Onana and Bayindir have been heavily criticised for lacking.

The Argentinian appeared to bid farewell to Villa fans at the end of the 2024-25 season amid rumours of a desired move. He was recently left out of the squad for Aston Villa's clash with Crystal Palace, with reports suggesting Manchester United have made contact regarding a potential transfer.

A deal for the goalkeeper could be costly. However, with Alejandro Garnacho's departure confirmed and Rasmus Hojlund and Antony also linked with moves away, Manchester United may be willing to invest heavily to finally solve their goalkeeping crisis.

If a deal for Martinez proves too complex, Manchester United have also been monitoring Royal Antwerp shot-stopper Senne Lammens. Reports indicate that the two clubs have been in discussions over a transfer fee during the final week of the window.

The Belgian goalkeeper, who has a tall frame and impressive agility, has drawn comparisons to a young Thibaut Courtois. Man Utd may be willing to take a chance on the 23-year-old, hoping he can develop into a player of similar caliber to the current Real Madrid keeper, who has been one of Europe's best for over a decade.

A deal for Lammens might be easier to complete in the final hours of the window, as the groundwork with Antwerp has already been laid. The fee is expected to be around £20 million, considerably less than what Aston Villa are reportedly demanding for their Argentine star.

Should Man Utd opt for the Belgian, he would likely arrive with lower expectations and less pressure than Martinez. The hope would be that he could replicate De Gea's early success at Old Trafford, becoming a dependable and proven goalkeeper for years to come.