If you thought Manchester United’s pursuit of Andre Onana was complicated, that was nothing compared to the Red Devils’ pursuit of a back-up goalkeeper during the summer of 2023.
While the former Inter Milan shot-stopper jumped at the chance to reunite with Erik ten Hag when Manchester United came calling – offering £47 million for Andre Onana’s services – bringing in a number two to provide support for the Cameroon international proved far more difficult.
There is, of course, only room on the team sheet for one goalkeeper.
As such, while Man United remains the dream destination for many footballers across the planet despite a decade of underachievement, it can still be a challenge convincing a goalkeeper who starts week in, week out elsewhere to settle for a place on the bench at Old Trafford.
Japanese starlet Zion Suzuki turned down Man United in favour of Sint-Triuden in Belgium. Feyenoord’s Justin Bijlow confirmed interest from the Premier League giants too, alongside Matheus of Braga and the now-Newcastle glovesman Odysseas Vlachodimos.
FC Lorient stopper Yvon Mvogo, meanwhile, has now opened up on the Man United’s attempts to sign him too, in conversation with Blick.
FC Lorient goalkeeper Yvon Mvogo explains Manchester United snub
“Correct, Manchester United for example,” Mvogo says when quizzed about so-called ‘top clubs’ offering him the number two role. “But that wasn’t an option for me.
“I’m not happy if I can’t be on the pitch. I want to enjoy my time on the pitch right now, together with fans and teammates.
“I want to play for titles and ideally win them too.”
Mvogo would eventually join Lorient from RB Leipzig after a two-year loan spell at Dutch giants PSV Eindhoven, departing Rotterdam during the same summer in which Ruud van Nistelrooy was appointed as their head coach.
Two years on, the Switzerland international is playing second-tier football after Lorient’s relegation in 2023/24. Though, as the likes of Strasbourg, Parma, Augsburg and Scottish Premiership champions Celtic found out the hard way, Mvogo remains as committed as ever to life at Les Merlus.
“Yes, there were a lot of offers. At that point, I wanted to take my time with the decision,” Mvogo admits. “I couldn’t have imagined how difficult the market would be during the summer.
“But I had a contract with Lorient, which meant a transfer fee would have been due.”
Altay Bayindir wants more game time at Man United
At Man United, meanwhile, it is Altay Bayindir currently playing second fiddle to the excellent Onana.
A £4.3 million signing from Fenerbahce, the Turkish colossus has featured only twice in almost a year-and-a-half at Old Trafford, however. Once against Newport County in the FA Cup, and during Man United’s 5-2 Carabao Cup hammering of Leicester City a few weeks ago.
That, in itself, justifies Mvogo’s decision to choose Lorient instead. Clearly, the 30-year-old values playing time over anything else, and the lack of opportunities afforded to Bayindir in England’s north west suggests that the same fate would have befallen Mvogo too.
Bayindir opened up on his frustrations at Man United recently.
“I didn’t get (many) chances last year,” Bayindir told the club’s official website. “I was just playing one game, and it is not enough for my personality.
“But, in life, anything can happen. You just need to be focused. You need to work hard, and everything can change in this life.
“Next step, next step, next step always. I’m thinking like this, and I will work hard always. I will be ready and, if I will get a chance, if I will be in goal, I will show myself and I will do my best.”
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