Manchester United look set to miss out on one of their goalkeeper targets as Inter Milan are close to opening talks with his current club.
Andre Onana’s hamstring injury that kept him out of pre-season created a big problem for Manchester United because their recognised starting shotstopper was unavailable, with young goalkeepers Radek Vitek and Elyh Harrison moving on loan shortly after his injury was confirmed.
Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton shared the minutes during United’s Premier League preparation, but neither are expected to be in contention for appearances this season, especially if Jason Wilcox decides to sign a new goalkeeper. But Onana has yet to play a minute, with the first game this weekend.
United did make an approach for a new shotstopper earlier in the summer, as they offered a loan move for Emiliano Martínez from Aston Villa after they had signed a new goalkeeper. However, Villa turned this offer down and Rúben Amorim’s side haven’t approached a new shotstopper since.
Onana has returned to training ahead of the first Premier League game of the season, but United could still make a move for a goalkeeper before the end of the window, especially if sales are concluded soon.
Lammens set for Inter Milan move
One of United’s primary goalkeeper targets was Royal Antwerp’s “brilliant” Senne Lammens, and he was reportedly “very keen” on a move to Old Trafford, according to Fabrizio Romano.
However, The Telegraph’s Mike McGrath has now reported that Lammens is a “serious target” for Inter Milan and could be set for a move to the Italian giants this summer.
Inter are set to open talks with Antwerp in the coming days, and an unnamed French club are also interested in Lammens, but are yet to start pushing to sign the 23-year-old.
Missing out on the Belgian is a loss for United, but not signing a goalkeeper earlier in the window shows it wasn’t a priority position for Amorim, despite Onana’s poor form last season.
Attack, Attack, Attack for United this season
United have made three high-profile signings: Matheus Cunha as a left-sided attacking midfielder, Bryan Mbeumo as a right-sided attacking midfielder, and Benjamin Šeško as a centre forward – all three are attacking additions.
They join the club to attempt to solve the goal-scoring problems from last season, as Amorim looks to push for the promotion spots this season, but the three signings to give away a tactic for the upcoming season.
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United fans are unlikely to see park-the-bus football this year, as the three signings suggest they will try to outscore every team, rather than block them out for 90 minutes, reminiscent of the old United.
The defensive issues were there last season, but the recruitment team have chosen to focus on the attacking areas, so Amorim can set the team up to overwhelm the opposition on every occasion, not just against the smaller sides.
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