Man United have been urged to sign Nick Pope from Newcastle amid doubts over Andre Onana's fitness and form, with the Cameroonian potentially missing the start of the new season
Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim on the touchline
Manchester United head coach Ruben Amorim has been urged to sign Nick Pope from Newcastle
(Image: Martin Rickett/PA Wire)
Manchester United have been urged to strike a deal for Newcastle goalkeeper Nick Pope as doubts remain over Andre Onana's return date.
United's No.1 has missed every pre-season game so far after suffering a hamstring injury in training last month. Onana is hopeful of returning in time for the start of the new Premier League season, but the Cameroonian could still be absent.
And even if fit, concerns have persisted over the 29-year-old's performances after a series of high-profile errors last term. Former United and Wrexham shot-stopper Ben Foster has now called on his former club to make a swoop for Pope after claiming they are "crying out" for a new keeper.
The 10-cap England international joined Newcastle from Burnley for £10million in 2022, but faces increased competition for a starting place after the Magpies confirmed the signing of Aaron Ramsdale this week.
"Manchester United are absolutely crying out for a goalkeeper," Foster said on his Fozcast podcast. "You'd do so much worse than getting Nick Pope. I think it would be a fantastic fit, I really do.
"If you're looking to get it to the forward areas as quickly as possible, Nick Pope's your boy and he'll stop goals. Onana's had this big injury at the start of pre-season and he's looking like he'll only get that fit maybe just for the start of the season.
Nick Pope of Newcastle United looks on
Nick Pope is facing new competition at Newcastle after the arrival of Aaron Ramsdale
"But you don't want that from your goalkeeper. You want him to have had four or five pre-season games and weeks and weeks of training.
"There were also a lot of questions raised at the end of last season thinking that he's probably not going to be the first choice goalkeeper. Nick Pope will be looking at this thinking, Hmm.'"
Pope has made 95 appearances for Newcastle across all competitions and Leeds United are one of the clubs reportedly interested in the 33-year-old. However, doubts have been raised over whether the Magpies would be willing to let him leave, with Eddie Howe expected to use Ramsdale to compete with Pope rather than replace him.
Andre Onana of Manchester United looks on
Andre Onana is working his way back from injury and hopes to be ready for the new Premier League campaign
United have been linked with several keepers this summer, including AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan and Emiliano Martinez. According to the Daily Mail, United even launched an ambitious attempt to sign Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa on loan, but hopes of a deal were quickly dashed. United head coach Ruben Amorim has used both Altay Bayindir and Tom Heaton during pre-season due to Onana's injury.
Despite criticism of United's current first-choice goalkeeper, Amorim expressed confidence in Onana's abilities last week. And the Portuguese appeared to downplay rumours that he's seeking a new face to provide a challenge.
"I think even when you talk about Andre, you can see the goalkeepers," Amorim said. "Even Tom is leaner, he's a different goalkeeper. Altay did really well, and Onana is going to be better, like the other guys, this year.
"I think we are better in every detail, in the organisation of the day-by-day. The nutrition is better, the way we cook, what we eat, how we prepare training. I think that we are more organised. I think we have people now that help us to be better. I'm not concerned with small things and I was last year.
"Those things help us and help me to think more about watching the game, watching the team. So it's a big help for me. When it's a big help for the technical staff, it's a big help for the players."