Man Utd problem position deepens for Ruben Amorim despite transfer being agreed

Ruben Amorim has worked tirelessly to improve his Manchester United squad this summer ahead of the new season, but the Red Devils haven’t been able to secure every player they’ve been after

Manchester United have been told that Nick Pope is not for sale this summer, despite Newcastle United being on the brink of signing Aaron Ramsdale. The Red Devils have been linked with a number of shot-stoppers, as Andre Onana’s future is up in the air, despite the fact they only signed him from Inter Milan two years ago in a £47.2million deal.

The 29-year-old from Cameroon has made 101 appearances for United over the past two years. But he has only managed to keep 25 clean sheets, conceding 148 goals in total.

The Red Devils are said to have enquired about AC Milan keeper Mike Maignan at the start of the transfer window, only for the 30-year-old to reportedly rebuff the move. An audacious loan move for Aston Villa No. 1 Emiliano Martinez was also made, however, hopes of an agreement there were quickly quashed, with Villa only considering an exceptional offer for the 2022 World Cup winner.

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Now, it appears as though United are eager to bring in Newcastle keeper Pope, according to talkSPORT, given his future as a starter at St James’ Park is now in doubt. The Carabao Cup winners are closing in on Southampton’s Ramsdale, with the Magpies having agreed a loan deal with an option to buy for the 27-year-old.

Ramsdale travelled to Tyneside for a medical on Wednesday, as Newcastle look to bring in fresh talent to challenge Pope for his spot in the team. Despite speculation the England international will look to leave the north east this summer, with Manchester United a potential landing spot, Sky Sports report that Newcastle have no intention of selling him.

It is said Eddie Howe is looking for someone to compete with Pope rather than replace him, on account of his admirable performances at St. James’ Park since his arrival in 2022.

Despite a deal nearing completion between Newcastle and Southampton, Ramsdale wasn’t the Magpies’ first-choice in terms of competition for their current No. 1.

Newcastle prioritised Burnley’s James Trafford for much of the window, even submitting a £31m bid for the 22-year-old who impressed in the Championship last term. However, due to a buyback clause that Manchester City inserted into their deal with Burnley when they sold him to the Clarets for £15m in 2023, Pep Guardiola’s team were instead able to clinch him for £27m.

Pope was in goal for most of Newcastle United’s 1-0 pre-season friendly loss to the K-League XI at the Suwon World Cup Stadium on Wednesday, with Kim Jin-Kyu slotting home the winner after 36 minutes. Joe Willock’s worrying looking injury late on is just another issue for the club to deal with.

On top of failing to play a full-strength team for the clash, Newcastle could yet lose talisman Alexander Isak, who is open to parting ways with the club. The Swedish striker wants to explore his options elsewhere, and Liverpool seems the most likely move for Isak, but no agreement has been reached between the clubs as of yet.

Elsewhere, the Red Devils have heavily relied on Altay Bayindir for their own pre-season endeavours, with Onana sidelined with a hamstring injury sustained in training earlier this summer. The 27-year-old impressed during United’s 0-0 clash with Leeds earlier this month, before also playing a major part in the Red Devils’ 2-1 win over West Ham on Sunday. He is also expected to start during United’s game with Bournemouth at Soldier Field on Thursday, with kick off at 2.30am UK time.

Whether United will continue their endeavours of looking at the prospect of signing Pope after the emergence of Newcastle’s firm stance remains to be seen. But the right price could turn heads given he is in the last 12 months of his contract.

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