Gary Neville has urged Manchester United to act quickly in the transfer market after their controversial defeat to Arsenal, warning that the club cannot afford to ignore what he sees as a “glaring” issue between the posts.
Neville has warned that United cannot afford to ignore their goalkeeping situation, insisting the club must secure a dominant No.1 before the transfer window shuts. The former defender stressed that without a commanding presence between the posts, the team risks instability similar to the years between Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar.
Speaking on Sky Sports, Neville said:
“There’s a glaring issue that Man United cannot ignore and it is the fact they need to find a goalkeeper. They have to. I’m unequivocal on that because I had an experience with Man Utd for 20 years where there were two big periods of seven or eight years with Peter Schmeichel and Edwin van der Sar.
*In between, we had seven or eight goalkeepers in a six, seven, eight-year period and it is really unsettling when you haven’t got a dominant No 1, who is dominant in the air, who owns his six-yard box, comes and punches everything and makes a lot of saves to win you points when your defenders make mistakes.*”
Neville suggested United should consider short-term or loan options before the window closes on September 1, naming Emiliano Martínez and Gianluigi Donnarumma as potential candidates. He explained his reasoning:
“*The reason I think they would be good goalkeepers for Man Utd is not necessarily because they are the best goalkeepers in Europe, but they are big personalities and characters. You’ve seen Donnarumma in a European final save those penalties for Italy. He looked like a giant. He’s played for PSG in huge games under pressure. Martínez has played in the World Cup final and won it for Argentina. They have played under extreme pressure and they almost walk out with that arrogance and dominance of a goalkeeper – Man United need that.*”
Romano: United Keeping Tabs On Royal Antwerp’s Lammens
While Neville urged United to make a decisive move, transfer expert Fabrizio Romano noted that the situation remains up in the air. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Romano reported that Aston Villa’s Martínez is no longer an active option, but United are still monitoring Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp.
“*The situation involving Emi Martinez has gone completely quiet. But a goalkeeper they still like and are still keeping an eye on is Senne Lammens, the goalkeeper of Royal Antwerp. Very talented goalkeeper, Belgian and United have been monitoring him for a long time. I told you about this interest in July and the beginning of August. This interest remains and if United decide from now until the end of the window to invest on a goalkeeper – Lammens is the goalkeeper they like.*”
Romano added that United are aware of Donnarumma’s availability but face competition:
“*Donnarumma, they are aware of the situation but Man City are in concrete talks to sign him. So this is currently the situation for Man United but still, nothing imminent as of now.*”
Onana’s Position
Despite the mounting scrutiny, the Manchester Evening News reports that André Onana expects to stay as United’s No.1 and the club currently has no plans to replace him before the deadline.