The Third Goalkeeper Linked to Man Utd and Who They Could Sign
The Third Goalkeeper Linked to Man Utd and Who They Could Sign
Getting recruitment right this summer could the difference is hugely important.Jamie Spencer|
Manchester United transfer rumors and speculation this summer has been dominated by news of midfielders, left wingers and left backs to this point. But the needle has started to move to goalkeepers in recent days.
Filling those three outfield positions is vitally important for the Red Devils going into 2026–27, particularly in the center of the pitch, where it could take up to three new arrivals to sufficiently boost squad depth ahead of a return to the Champions League.
But goalkeeper is the other role that Manchester United do actually need to fill this summer. The names linked with a prospective transfer already—Karl Darlow, Sam Johnstone, Angus Gunn—might have taken fans a little by surprise, but there is logic behind it.
Why Do Man Utd Need to Sign a Goalkeeper?
Recruiting in goal is important for United, not because of any need to replace current No. 1 Senne Lammens, but to restore depth and cover that looks like it will be depleted come the autumn.
Lammens was named Barclays Transfer of the Season at the Premier League’s end-of-year awards, officially the best recruit in 2025–26 across the entire division. That is no mean feat considering the emerging Belgian was hardly known outside his homeland this time last year and was up against players like Rayan Cherki, Antoine Semenyo, João Pedro and Granit Xhaka.
Due to Lammens firmly establishing himself as the starter, it makes it likely that Altay Bayındır—No. 1 from August to October last season—and André Onana will move on. Both are good enough to command starting jobs elsewhere and face a perhaps unwinnable battle to topple Lammens. Both could end up in Türkiye, with Onana in particular linked with a second loan at Trabzonspor.
United have already re-signed popular veteran Tom Heaton to a new one-year contract as third-choice goalkeeper, a role that is far more about training, support and behind-the-scenes leadership than it is actually playing games. But there will be call for a new No. 2.
Dependable Experience Important in No. 2 Goalkeeper Search
It can be tricky to nail the role of understudy goalkeeper.
Competition between two more equal contenders rarely works out, as United found with David de Gea and Dean Henderson some years ago. That alone is a reason it would be difficult for Onana to remain, before even considering other factors. Similarly, once Arsenal signed David Raya in 2023, it was impossible for Aaron Ramsdale to stay. James Trafford is also expected to leave Manchester City this year in pursuit of a starting job after being gazumped by Gianluigi Donnarumma.
A more structured hierarchy, where everyone has a defined place, but equally in which the deputy can be trusted to step in when required is preferable. That was how Liverpool had things with Alisson and Caoimhín Kelleher until the latter finally outgrew the role last year.
With Darlow, Johnstone or Gunn—the latter being the latest name added to the list this week as per new reports—United would have a reliable veteran backup, with minimal expectations of usurping Lammens. None would equate to a major financial outlay either, at a time when funds need to be primarily funneled into other areas of the pitch.
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Darlow first played in the Premier League over a decade ago after joining Newcastle United. The 35-year-old has been a backup most of his career but did play more than half of Leeds United’s Premier League matches in 2025–26 after displacing starter Lucas Perri.
Johnstone actually came through the ranks at Old Trafford, part of the same FA Youth Cup-winning team as Paul Pogba and Jesse Lingard in 2011. He never made a first-team appearance but carved out a strong career at EFL Championship level and has Premier League experience too. This past season he was at Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Gunn, meanwhile, was trained by Manchester City for seven years from the age of 15. He has played in the Premier League, albeit only sparingly for Southampton in the past and once for Nottingham Forest this past season, but is Scotland’s starting goalkeeper at the 2026 World Cup.
All three are free agents this summer.
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Published 22 hours ago | Modified 22 hours ago
JAMIE SPENCERJamie Spencer is a freelance editor and writer for Sports Illustrated FC. Jamie fell in love with football in the mid-90s and specializes in the Premier League, Manchester United, the women’s game and old school nostalgia.
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Badenoch blasts 'moaning' female Labour MPs over Burnham jobs 'quota'
Kemi Badenoch has told Labour women to earn a job in Andy Burnham's Cabinet instead of demanding they are handed jobs because of their gender.
The Tory leader lashed out today amid reports that female MPs are demanding the de-facto new prime minister introduce a 50:50 gender split 'quota' in his government.
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister also complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts.
But in a scathing article in the Times today Mrs Badenoch told them to 'stop moaning' and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'.
'There are many, many reasons why you shouldn't have any Milibands in the cabinet,' she said.
'But complaining that the boys haven't given them the right jobs or that the boys are taking all the jobs, just shows that Labour's women still don't get it.'
The idea of quotas was also attacked by Baroness Jacqui Smith, Labour's Skills Minister.
Asked by Times Radio if Mr Burnham should reserve jobs for women, she said: 'No, I think what Andy Burnham should be doing is building the very best team around him to change this country.'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs
Amid reports that former foreign secretary David Miliband (above, right, in 2010) is being lined up to return to the role, possibly with his brother Ed as Chancellor, one female minister complained that Burnham could not have 'more Milibands than women' in the top posts
But Mrs Badenoch told them to pipe down and get chosen on merit instead of retreating into 'more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country'
A letter written by the Women's Parliamentary Labour Party and seen by the BBC has called on Mr Burnham to ensure a 50:50 split between men and women in government jobs after he succeeds Sir Keir Starmer.
'We are asking you to demonstrate this change from day one and address the toxicity and misogyny within our own party and government,' it said.
Labour has never had a female leader, while the Conservatives have had three, and Mrs Badenoch urged the government to follow its meritocratic example.
'If you run a meritocracy, then you do not have to worry about jobs for the boys,' she wrote.
'Every woman who is a Conservative MP, every woman who has ever won the leadership, has had to fight to get where she is.
'By contrast, Labour women are demanding guarantees from Burnham. But the truth is he doesn't have to give any guarantees.
'If none of Labour's women are prepared to get their hands dirty and challenge him for the leadership, their demands are toothless.'
'In fact, it's quite revealing that the women's parliamentary Labour Party has written to Burnham asking him to commit himself to at least 50 per cent female ministers.
'This has nothing to do with meritocracy. It is yet more of the failed identity politics that is holding back our country.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price subsidising their life by livestreaming
Venezuela Fury and her husband Noah Price look to be making their own way in the world by raking it in from their lucrative social media accounts.
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury, 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year.
Since getting married and moving in together the couple have been earning thousands of pounds a month, livestreaming their life as newlyweds in their static caravan in the East Riding of Yorkshire.
And fans can't get enough of their regular life updates on TikTok and Kick, which have proved to be very profitable for the pair.
They look to be supporting themselves after Noah denied that he was given £5million by Venezuela's family as a wedding gift.
Despite his wife's huge family wealth, an estimated combined £160 million, Noah recently told his Kick followers that he 'pays for everything' for the couple.
Making light of the claims about Venezuela's millionaire financial status, Noah said: 'I actually pay for everything unfortunately. You'd expect the millionaire to pay for it wouldn't you.'
Venezuela Fury and Noah Price are earning thousands livestreaming their caravan life - after her new groom insisted he pays all the bills and denied he had £5m handout from her dad
The influencer daughter of Tyson and Paris Fury , 16, has become an internet sensation after tying the knot with her husband Noah, 19, earlier this year
Venezuela then asked their fans: 'Do you think I am a millionaire?'
Noah joked: 'She isn't a secret millionaire guys', before she broke into song and sang: 'But I live like a millionaire!'
But it seems according to estimated calculations from their social media work, Noah and Venezuela can more than afford to support themselves.
Noah has been livestreaming on platforms such as Kick and TikTok, where viewers can send paid gifts or donations.
He was previously encouraging viewers to send gifts on his honeymoon during livestreams, suggesting this is one revenue stream.
Both Noah and Venezuela have built substantial followings on Instagram and TikTok. They can potentially earn money through sponsored posts, brand collaborations, affiliate links and creator payouts.
Kick allows its creators to take home 95 per cent of the £4.99 subscription cost that fans pay.
Streamers keep 100 per cent of direct tips and donations, minus minor standard payment processing fees.
It is unclear how many subscribers Noah currently has because this information is hidden, but he does have 7,200 followers which is publicly viewable.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million.
An industry insider has suggested Noah is making around £400 per video on TikTok, while Venezuela is likely to make £2,000 due to her following count of 1.3 million
In one video on their honeymoon, Noah asked his followers if they'd give them some more gifts now that they were married.
In a TikTok live viewed by 20,000 he said: 'Keep liking our videos people, keep sending gifts.'
After saying thank you to several of his followers he joked they should stick around on the livestream and 'watch Venezuela punch me in the mouth'.
The other half of the honeymooning couple said: 'I am, honestly!'
Noah previously confirmed that the pair don't share their finances after they were asked whether they have a shared bank account.
'She earns her money, I earn mine,' said Noah, as Venezuela joked: 'Yeah, what you gonna do about it.'
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'.
Meanwhile Venezuela is being eyed up by executives for a fly on the wall TV series.
Noah went on to debunk the rumour that Tyson gave him £5million when he tied the knot with his daughter as he insisted: 'No Tyson did not give me £5million'
Boasting 1.3 million TikTok followers, Venezuela is already entertaining fans with her honest musings and candid moments, from cooking to kitting out her and Noah's static caravan home.
And following the success of the Netflix series At Home With The Furys, it is no wonder bosses are wanting to draw on the Fury popularity.
A TV insider said: 'The couple are not A-list celebrities but everyone has become obsessed with their love story.
'People are genuinely intrigued by them. Whether it’s the fact they have married so young, Venezuela’s famous family or their gypsy lifestyle, they have the ‘X factor'.
'Several TV executives think a proper fly-on-the-wall series following their lives as newlyweds in the gypsy community would be fascinating,' they told The Sun.
It is thought Netflix would be likely to produce the series due to their already established relationship with the Furys.
Venezuela's representatives told The Daily Mail: 'We have many offers on the table regarding Venezuela which we are discussing.'
