Southampton goalkeeper Aaron Ramsdale has emerged as a target for Manchester United, it has been claimed. The Red Devils have a decision to make over their long-term starting goalkeeper, with Andre Onana guilty of some high-profile slip-ups.
Onana spilled a shot at the feet of Lyon’s Rayan Cherki in the final minute of Thursday’s Europa League quarter-final first leg and was left out entirely against Newcastle on Sunday. Altay Bayindir started in the Cameroonian’s place in what manager Ruben Amorim called a “normal situation”, but cost United a goal himself with a wayward clearance at St James’ Park.
“[It is] important to focus on the next game for the league and then think about the second leg against Lyon,” Amorim said after the error. “When one player has a mistake, all the team has a mistake, so we continue like that.”
According to The Sun, United are one of a number of clubs looking to pounce for Ramsdale following Southampton’s relegation. West Ham are also said to be fans of the 26-year-old, who is believed to be keen to stay in the Premier League despite interest from overseas.
The England international has already lost his starting spot at one of the Premier League’s big hitters, and left Arsenal after being replaced by David Raya as first choice. He has been one of Southampton’s few bright sparks this season, though, and saved two penalties in the weekend defeat against Aston Villa.
Ramsdale was called into Thomas Tuchel’s squad for England’s first two games under the new boss, but didn’t make the matchday selection against either Albania or Latvia. The most recent of his five senior caps came against Iceland in a friendly ahead of Euro 2024, and he didn’t play a minute at the European Championships proper as England reached the final with Jordan Pickford in goal.
He is reported to favour a Premier League stay to boost his chances of featuring in the 2026 World Cup squad. Tuchel did pick four overseas-based players for his first squad, though, with Harry Kane, Jude Bellingham and Jordan Henderson joined by AC Milan loanee Kyle Walker.
United boss Amorim didn’t single out players after the heavy defeat at Newcastle, but admitted his team had been their own worst enemies. It remains to be seen whether Bayindir or Onana starts at home to Lyon on Thursday, with veteran Tom Heaton – on the bench on Sunday – another option.
“We did a lot of mistakes and they were better than us, stronger than us,” Amorim said after Sunday’s reverse. “Suffering the second goal in the beginning of the second half hurt us a lot and then we did mistakes during the game that helped Newcastle to win the game.
“It’s a team thing [and not about individuals],” he added when discussing his team’s errors. “We are doing a lot of mistakes in certain games that give confidence to the opponent, give goals, and then it’s hard to cope with everything.
“We had the first chance, we didn’t score, [then] they have their chance, they score. Then they took control of the game. We scored to draw but then second half, we were suffering in the second play of the game, it’s hard for our team and we did a lot of mistakes.”
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