Manchester United are interested in a shock summer swoop for Real Madrid goalkeeper Andriy Lunin.
The Red Devils splashed £47m to sign Andre Onana from Inter Milan last summer as a replacement for David de Gea, who was released upon the expiry at the end of the 2022/23 campaign. They also brought in goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce, but despite Onana’s hot and cold debut campaign at Old Trafford, the Turkish shot-stopper has only managed just one appearance which came in the 4-2 FA Cup win over Newport County.
Onana, 28, has come under a lot of criticism from fans and media alike for his performances as Manchester United’s new No.1. The Cameroonian international has made a series of high-profile errors, particularly in the Champions League where Erik ten Hag’s side finished at the bottom of Group A and were eliminated from Europe altogether.
As a result, the 20-time English champions’ links with another goalkeeper have emerged of late. Manchester United have reportedly joined Paris Saint-Germain and Bayern Munich in the race to sign Real Madrid’s Andriy Lunin.
Lunin, 25, has been a mainstay in goal for Real Madrid this season due to Thibaut Courtois’ serious knee injury problems. He has excelled with his displays, helping Carlo Ancelotti’s side to the summit of La Liga as well as qualify for the UEFA Champions League semi-finals, and it is no surprise that the shot-stopper is on the radar of big European clubs. However, the Ukrainian international is considering leaving the Spanish giants to have continuity in his career.
Man United to splash the cash on a goalkeeper again?
Man United’s new co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe is overhauling the recruitment model after a series of haphazard signings over the years and they could opt to bring in a new goalkeeper after Andre Onana’s mixed debut campaign. Onana has recently attracted criticism for his mistakes in back-to-back league games against Sheffield United and Burnley, apparently prompting the club’s decision to recruit a shot-stopper in the summer transfer window.
The Red Devils have registered their interest in Andriy Lunin, who has enjoyed a breakout campaign for Real Madrid after spending years on the bench. The 25-year-old began the season as a deputy to Courtois and then found himself behind Kepa Arrizabalaga, who Madrid signed on loan as a replacement for the injured Courtois. But with Kepa struggling for form, Carlo Ancelotti had no option but to put his faith in the Ukrainian. And Lunin has repaid Ancelotti’s faith in him, tuning in some top-notch performances.
However, the shot-stopper is thinking of leaving Madrid this summer as he is unsure whether to renew his contract and compete with Courtois next season or try a new adventure elsewhere. Although Lunin’s current contract expires next year and the Spanish club have shown interest in renewing it, the possibility of a change in scenery seems more and more likely for him, especially with Man United and other top European clubs knocking at the door.
There is no guarantee that the No.1 spot at Madrid will be his when Courtois is back. Logically, Lunin’s future at Santiago Bernabeu is up in the air, but he does have the opportunity to make his good form talk and join another top club where he would get assurances of regular game time.
I am Rohan Sengupta from one of the busiest cities in India, Mumbai. A Journalism graduate with a keen interest in sports, football is something I simply cannot live without and writing, discussing and analyzing the game is what I do 24*7.
