The Man Utd transfer plan forced to change after U-turn | Football | Sport
United are no strangers to such scenarios. They found themselves scrambling in January 2023 when Martin Dubravka was summoned back by his parent club Newcastle United.
Dubravka had signed a season-long agreement in summer 2022, brought in to challenge David de Gea for the number one spot, but managed just two outings under Erik ten Hag‘s stewardship.
Given his lack of game time, Newcastle deemed it appropriate to recall him mere hours after the January window commenced, leaving United exposed.
A United statement confirmed: “We would like to thank Martin for his contribution during his time with our club, and wish him all the best for the future.”
Recruiting a goalkeeper had certainly not featured in that year’s transfer strategy, but it rapidly became essential following Dubravka’s unforeseen exit from the club. Just five days on, the Red Devils brought in Crystal Palace keeper Jack Butland on a temporary deal to bolster their goalkeeping options.
After his Old Trafford stint concluded, Butland headed north of the border to join Rangers, where he remains today.
The summer of 2023 marked the conclusion of David de Gea’s 12-year tenure at United, with the club moving swiftly to secure Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir as replacements.
Onana arrived as first-choice custodian, yet he’s since departed on loan to Turkish outfit Trabzonspor, paving the way for Senne Lammens to take the gloves. Bayindir is second string, whilst veteran Tom Heaton sits as third option.
Lammens has impressed between the posts for United, suggesting the club may have finally unearthed De Gea’s permanent replacement. His commanding display earned him Player of the Match honours in Tuesday evening’s 1-1 stalemate at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Regarding Lammens’ transfer from Royal Antwerp, his representative revealed United’s initial intentions to retain Onana as a mentor for the young Belgian.
In conversation with Belgian publication HBVL, agent Mark Volders explained: “Those critical voices… the big problem was that they expected a very well-known name, like [Gianluigi] Donnarumma or [Emiliano] Martínez.
“But actually, for a long time, the intention within United was for Onana to stay and for Senne to be given time to adjust. Ultimately, they changed their tune right at the very end, Onana left, and fully embraced Senne. But in hindsight, you can only say that United was right about that.”
United will be hoping they won’t have to make an unplanned foray into the transfer market this January, while there are eight names on a shortlist of midfielders who could potentially join Old Trafford this month.
