Manchester United fail to sign player after he fails two medicals in six months, including one in July

Add as preferred source on Google

Manchester United are currently winning on and off the pitch, as their good run in the transfer window was complemented by their first pre-season victory.

In the transfer window, two signings have been secured, with Leny Yoro’s debut performance already showing promising signs.

Manuel Ugarte is targeted while the academy strengthening is going full-tilt too, as goalscoring sensation Chido Obi-Martin has been pursued.

United have been decisive in the market, identifying targets, working quickly to make it happen and then getting it over the line.

That has paid dividends except for one player, the circumstances around whom have been beyond their control.

Curious case of failed medicals

Last summer, United’s goalkeeping department underwent a huge overhaul as they changed their No. 1 and No. 2, replacing David de Gea and Dean Henderson with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.

With Tom Heaton slowly transitioning towards a coaching role, possibly as soon as next season, and Nathan Bishop leaving the club, United felt the need to strengthen their ranks this summer.

Consequently, they targeted Toby Savin of Accrington Stanley in the January window as per The Sun. The 23-year-old goalkeeper has also been watched by scouts from Newcastle and Tottenham for the past three seasons.

United stole a march on their rivals and booked a medical for him in January, only for the player to fail it.

The club didn’t give up and reentered the race for him this summer, booking a second medical this July, which the player failed again.

He is currently a free agent after leaving Accrington at the end of the season but it is unclear whether United will try for a third time.

Blessing in disguise

No one would wish injury upon another player but it is fair to say that Savin’s move falling through, while unfortunate for the player, is a blessing in disguise for United.

In Onana, Heaton, and Bayindir, they have their three first-team goalkeepers. Radek Vitek has been a star of this pre-season and a higher division loan should beckon.

Behind him, Elyh Harrison has been earning a lot of plaudits for his proactive goalkeeping and shot-stopping. It wouldn’t be a surprise to see him develop like Henderson has.

Therefore, the need for another goalkeeper, especially one as injury-prone as Savin presumably is, is ill-advised.

Bishop was a steady emergency backup for United and a good player to have in training but if Savin has already failed two medicals, he is unlikely to be either of those things.

Therefore, United would do well to avoid going for him for a third time and just accept that it wasn’t meant to be. They already have better options at the club for every role.