Manchester United may make a move for a new goalkeeper this summer – and one target has admitted his love for the club.
The January transfer window only finished on Monday but many Manchester United fans will already have one eye on the summer window.
It’s clear that Ruben Amorim needs to re-tool this United squad and there was only so much that he could do in January.
Patrick Dorgu has joined United whilst Ayden Heaven and Diego Leon have arrived as defensive options for the future.
Ineos and Amorim need to have summer targets in mind though with a huge improvement needed next season.
A striker is an absolute must for United but a number of positions will be under the microscope heading towards the summer.
- READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfer deals for January 2025, ins, outs, loan moves, deadline date
Goalkeeper target admits Manchester United love
We have seen goalkeepers linked with United but there are some moving parts there.
Andre Onana has struggled of late, making some costly mistakes and turning in some disappointing performances.
Altay Bayindir was expected to leave in January and whilst he ended up staying put, he may seek first-team football elsewhere.
Reports in January suggested that Amorim wants to sign two goalkeepers and reports continue to link United with a move for Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel.
A homegrown goalkeeper would certainly make sense as well with United interested in Sunderland’s Anthony Patterson earlier this season.
Back in October, United were linked with Sam Tickle with the Wigan Athletic stopper also wanted by Arsenal.
Tickle is one of the top English goalkeeping talents around and United surely still have him on the radar for this summer.
Warrington-born Tickle has now told the Daily Mail that he actually grew up supporting United – but isn’t impacted by the rumours surrounding a transfer.
Tickle noted that he now loves Wigan as much as United and is ‘living the dream’ with the League One side as he continues to shine.
“It’s nice to see your name linked but it doesn’t impact me,” said Tickle.
“As long as I get to play football, I’m happy. I’m living the dream and all I wanted to do was to come through at Wigan and play for Wigan.
“I’m a Man United fan but I’ve been at the club so long that I’m a Wigan fan now,” he added.
Sam Tickle on facing Manchester United
In January 2024, Tickle had the chance to face off against United in the FA Cup.
United beat Wigan 2-0 on that night but Tickle admitted that it was ‘unbelievable’ to play against the Red Devils.
Tickle noted that he managed to get Andre Onana’s shirt after the game and spoke to United veteran Tom Heaton.
Tickle felt that the night was a ‘special occasion’ not just for him, but also for his United-mad father as well.
“It was unbelievable. I remember in the canteen, we had the draw on the TV and we all went mad,” said Tickle.
“I got (Andre) Onana’s shirt and I spoke to Tom Heaton for a bit so it was a special occasion, especially for me and my dad because he’s a United fan as well,” he added.
Tickle won the Player of the Year award at Wigan last season and has been hailed as a ‘special talent’ by Latics boss Shaun Maloney, as quoted by Wigan’s official X account.
Arsenal may have been linked with Tickle too, but you would imagine that a call to join United would prove very difficult for Tickle to turn down this summer.
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