Manchester United were linked with three goalkeepers in summer 2023. They signed two, and missed out on the best one.
In 2023, Erik ten Hag dispensed with the services of David de Gea and set his focus on revamping the club’s goalkeeping department.
One shock transfer rumour saw Manchester United linked with a move for Urawa Red Diamonds goalkeeper Zion Suzuki for just £5 million.
United wanted Suzuki as a back-up, and committed £43 million to sign Andre Onana. They later signed Altay Bayindir as a back-up for £4.3 million.
Suzuki made very clear that he did not want to be a back-up, and turned down United’s interest to sign with Belgian club Sint Truiden.
It was an inspired move. He joined Parma 12 months later, and is now Japan’s number one goalkeeper.
Now he is set to star at World Cup 2026, and on March 31, he kept a clean sheet in a 1-0 win over England at Wembley.
Suzuki’s performance illustrated how he has grown into a top class goalkeeper at 23, and that Manchester United’s scouts really got it right when they picked him out when he was playing in Japan.
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Manchester United have Senne Lammens now, but Zion Suzuki has proven his quality
Manchester United liked Zion Suzuki in 2023. But the club were not brave enough to offer him a meaningful first team role.
Erik ten Hag favoured his former Ajax goalkeeper Andre Onana, who had a largely disastrous two years at the club.
We understand why Ten Hag felt he needed a big name to replace David de Gea, even if his choice of Onana did not work out.
But this past summer, new investors Ineos oversaw the transfer dealings and they decided not to chase the big name.
United were linked with Emiliano Martinez, Argentina’s World Cup winner, and opted for the cheaper, younger Senne Lammens.
Lammens has proven to be an inspired signing, and the goalkeeper position finally looks set.
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£5 million deal could have changed United
But what if United had been brave enough to make £5 million Zion Suzuki the number one back in 2023?
We are really getting into a hypothetical realm here, but if United had not spent an extra £38 million on Andre Onana, then there might actually have been funds to sign Harry Kane instead of Rasmus Hojlund.
This was a deal where United tried to do the right thing and sign the next top young striker, instead of the proven option.
But there’s a difference between gambling on a player at £5 million with Suzuki, and staking £64 million on an unproven player like Hojlund.
When you are spending that kind of money, you might as well pay a little extra and get the real deal.
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