Manchester United are expected to be in the market for new goalkeeping additions during the summer transfer window.
Manchester United now have a Europa League final on the horizon – and a possible route into the Champions League.
United’s 4-1 win over Athletic Club means Tottenham Hotspur stand between Ruben Amorim’s side and a return to Europe’s top table.
Amorim and Ineos face a huge summer transfer window, with signings needed in a number of key areas.
A new number 10 appears to be inbound with United closing in on the signing of Matheus Cunha from Wolverhampton Wanderers.
United also need to explore goalkeeping additions, with Andre Onana wanted in Saudi Arabia and Altay Bayindir expected to leave Old Trafford.
Freddie Woodman available on a free transfer
United will look into a host of goalkeeping additions, from potential replacements for Onana in the starting XI, to backup stoppers who can provide depth.
Reports in April suggested United are interested in signing Freddie Woodman from Preston North End.
Newcastle United sold Woodman to PNE in 2022, and the former England youth stopper has been their first-choice goalkeeper ever since.
An injury cut his season short back in March, and Woodman has now played his final game for North End.
PNE have confirmed their retained list on their official website and announced that Woodman is moving on at the end of his contract.
Woodman – who conceded to Cristiano Ronaldo in his Old Trafford return back in 2021, as seen below – is now exploring other opportunities, which may well include a move to United.
A homegrown stopper who can sign on a free transfer, Woodman could tick the boxes for United as a second or third-choice goalkeeper.
Whether Woodman wants to trade in being a first-choice goalkeeper to sit on United’s bench remains to be seen, but his confirmed availability will have been noted inside Old Trafford.
Tom Heaton developments could scupper Freddie Woodman move
We looked into the Woodman reports when the rumours first emerged and believed Tom Heaton’s future would have a huge impact on any move.
Reports suggested Heaton would be leaving United at the end of the season, with his contract coming to an end.
Heaton’s role as a homegrown backup goalkeeper could have been taken by Woodman this summer.
However, Heaton could now stay at United with talks believed to be underway over an extended stay at Old Trafford.
Woodman could still replace Bayindir in United’s pecking order, but his displays at PNE suggest he would not really challenge for the number one jersey.
Landing Woodman to replace Heaton made perfect sense from a homegrown perspective, and the veteran’s potential stay could throw any move for Woodman into doubt.
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