The summer transfer window may feel like an age away, but clubs across the country are already lining up their next moves, and Manchester United are looking at the Championship for one target.
It has been a difficult season for the Red Devils, to say the least. At one point, it even looked like they might be at threat of being relegated to the Championship, and while they are safe now, Ruben Amorim’s side are still wallowing in the bottom half of the Premier League table.
There have been a number of issues plaguing the Old Trafford outfit, with the form of Andre Onana in goal certainly one of them.
It seems United are looking at the second tier for solutions to that problem, and while there are some top Championship players who could play for England already, Amorim and his scouting team are looking elsewhere.
Photo by Catherine Ivill - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images
Blackburn Rovers ace Aynsley Pears scouted by Man Utd
According to a report from Alan Nixon on Patreon, Man Utd have been watching Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Aynsley Pears with a view to making him Onana’s deputy for next season.
Apparently, United want “a home grown keeper to join their squad” for 2025/26, and Pears is on their shortlist as things stand.
The club has sent specialist scout Tony Coton to watch Pears already, as they hope to identify a “seasoned professional” who can “compete for the number one slot” at Old Trafford. That said, it’s thought anyone who comes in will largely be used for cup games and as backup.
The 26-year-old Pears has made over 100 appearances in the Championship, turning out for Rovers and Middlesbrough. Interestingly, his dad actually played for Man Utd, too.
While United have Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton among their ranks, there is a belief the club is not satisfied and we could see some “upheaval” in that department over the summer.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
There are other, better goalkeepers in the Championship
While Pears is a very strong goalkeeper — he’s kept 13 clean sheets this season across 35 games — there are other options in the second tier, and potentially better ones, too.
James Trafford at Burnley is an obvious one, but with the Clarets potentially going up this year, the likelihood of such a deal is low at this moment in time. If Burnley fail to get promoted, though, there is no doubt Trafford would secure a move to the top flight.
Michael Cooper at Sheffield United, too, would be a great option for any club seeking a homegrown goalkeeper with room to develop. The 25-year-old has been one of the best goalkeepers in the division this season, with his 18 clean sheets going largely under the radar.
Rank Player Matches Clean Sheets Percentage
1 James Trafford 35 25 71.4 %
2 Illan Meslier 36 20 55.6 %
3 Michael Cooper 34 18 52.9 %
4 Aynsley Pears 35 13 37.1 %
5 Freddie Woodman 35 13 37.1 %
Stats via Transfermarkt
We know Anthony Patterson has been on the radar for a number of Premier League clubs this year, too, with Manchester United thought to be on that list. However, the Sunderland stopper’s recent form may have deterred his suitors.
Perhaps Pears is the ideal choice in terms of attainability, but does that say more about United’s ambition than anything else?