Ruben Amorim and Sir Alex Ferguson
Ruben Amorim can repeat Sir Alex Ferguson's successful Man United transfer trick
When Arsenal were knocked out of the Champions League by Paris Saint-Germain, Mikel Arteta said the quality in both boxes was a key factor.
Gianluigi Donnarumma pulled off two world-class performances against the Gunners and PSG's deadly attacking trio did what Arteta's failed to do and was clinical. Looking back, the Spaniard's comments could easily be a reminder of the transfer plan at Manchester United this summer.
"This competition is about the boxes and in both boxes are the strikers and the goalkeepers and theirs was the best in both games," he said. Simply put, you have to have a world-class goalkeeper and clinical striker to be one of the best.
At United, they have neither. The priority at Carrington this summer is to improve the attack with Matheus Cunha and Liam Delap two key targets. The pair are two deals which are already in motion, offering encouraging signs to what's to come.
However, movement in the goalkeeping department is slightly more relaxed. Andre Onana has been the number one at Old Trafford since his £47.2million move from Inter Milan but his future is not safe. Altay Bayindir, Amorim’s number two, is said to be keen on first-team football himself.
The Manchester Evening News reported earlier this month that Ruben Amorim wants a new goalkeeper better-suited to the system but there are no plans to spend a significant sum on one, unless Onana leaves.
Ruben Amorim must decide whether to give Andre Onana the boot this summer (Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
In the past month, the list of potential new number one's has included the likes of Joan Garcia, Bart Verbruggen, Aaron Ramsdale and Gregor Kobel. A recent report from The Telegraph has claimed that Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens and Leicester City's Mads Hermansen have both been watched by United.
Thankfully for United, Sir Alex Ferguson’s two previous transfer masterclasses could help them make a decision. In 2005, United brought in Edwin van der Sar on a two-year deal after neither Roy Carroll or Tim Howard covered themselves in glory as Sir Alex Ferguson's men finished third in the Premier League.
The then-34-year-old arrived with over 550 senior appearances from his spells at Ajax, Fulham and Juventus. A short term fix for United at the time, the Dutchman won four Premier League titles in five seasons and played 266 times for the club.
In the 2008/09 season, Van der Sar recorded 21 clean sheets and went 14 consecutive games without conceding a goal, a record that still stands. He retired at 40.
Edwin van der Sar took goalkeeping to a different level at Manchester United (Image: Getty Images)
If Onana was sold, Amorim wouldn't be judged in bad light if he was to replicate Ferguson's transfer masterclass in bringing in a more experienced head. Atletico Madrid's Jan Oblak, 32, has been tipped to leave the Spanish side this summer after 11 years at the club.
Atleti have been linked with making a move for Emiliano Martinez meaning the Slovenian could be available. For years, the former Benfica shot-stopper has been widely regarded one of the best in Europe and would be an improvement. Oblak has conceded less goals, made less saves and boasts a better post-shot expected goal than Onana this season (as per FBRef).
Interest from the Saudi Pro League could blow United out of the water but there is another Ferguson masterclass that offers a different scale of transfer. When Van der Sar retired, United paid just under £20m for 20-year-old David de Gea from Atletico, making him the second most expensive goalkeeper behind Gianluigi Buffon.
After a difficult start to life in England, the Spaniard won the Premier League, FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League with United. He also won the Premier League Golden Glove twice, the Sir Matt Busby Player of the Year four times in five years and was named in the PFA Team of the Year five times.
In controversial style, De Gea left United in 2023 on a free after the club decided against going ahead with a contract extension. His replacement, Onana, is now facing a similar path with United possibly considering to cash-in.
David de Gea pictured lifting the Premier League in 2013 (Image: ANDREW YATES/AFP via Getty Images)
If the decision is made to not bring in a more experienced goalkeeper, United have the option to invest in one of the most-exciting shot-stoppers and there's a number of them who fit the bill.
Lucas Chevalier (23), Lammens (22), Hermansen (24), Garcia (24), Zion Suzuki (22), Guillaume Restes (20), Verbruggen (22) and James Trafford (22) are all at a similar age of De Gea. They do, however, come at more of a premium with selling clubs keen to either keep hold of them or grab the perfect deal.
The alternative is keeping Onana but if the reports are believed that Amorim wants his own number one, we could see a new goalkeeper for the new season.
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