Manchester United

Manchester United

Premier League • England

Man Utd identify second goalkeeper to target after Andre Onana in completely new-look department

Mark Flekken, Justin Bijlow and Andries Noppert

While Man Utd keep working on a deal to sign Andre Onana and make him their new first-choice goalkeeper, a report has revealed who else they want to add for the role.

Last season, David de Gea was Man Utd’s number one. Because of his status, it meant Dean Henderson left on loan for Nottingham Forest. In the first half of the season, Man Utd brought in Martin Dubravka on loan from Newcastle as his backup, and then Jack Butland from Crystal Palace in the second.

Now, De Gea’s contract has officially expired. Talks are continuing about a new deal on lower terms, but as things stand, the only keepers on Man Utd’s books are Henderson and Tom Heaton.

Amid the uncertainty, Heaton was recently blocked from leaving for Luton Town, who are now chasing Asmir Begovic, as TEAMtalk revealed in an exclusive this week. Meanwhile, Henderson supposedly expects to return to Forest.

Whatever happens, there could be a need for two new goalkeepers at Man Utd this summer. In that regard, their top target is Onana, who currently plays for Inter but used to work under Ten Hag at Ajax.

An official bid in the region of €50m (£42m) should be on its way to Inter at some point soon. There is rising confidence that Man Utd will be able to add Onana to their squad.

But it has now emerged, via 1908.nl, that Man Utd are also eyeing Justin Bijlow from Feyenoord as someone to compete with Onana.

READ MOREMan Utd put £153m pair up for sale to help Ten Hag land three dream signings

Bijlow a new goalkeeper option for Man Utd

The 25-year-old has spent his entire career to date with Feyenoord. Last season, he won the Eredivisie title with them, conceding just 19 goals from his 25 league appearances.

Only two years remain on Bijlow’s contract with Feyenoord. Therefore, they may have to consider whether or not to cash in on him either this summer or next year.

Whether he would accept a backup role at Man Utd is another factor to consider. That said, this season’s tally of 25 Eredivisie appearances out of a possible 34 – around 73.5% of the league games available to him – was the best yet in his career.

Furthermore, it remains to be seen how much Man Utd would have to pay in order to sign Bijlow.

They did business with Feyenoord already last summer when bringing in Tyrell Malacia to play at left-back. Ten Hag has also explored the Eredivisie market when signing Lisandro Martinez and Antony from his own former club, Ajax, for example.

As for the potential Bijlow deal, 1908 seems quite confident he would be an extra alongside Onana, rather than an alternative to him if the Inter deal doesn’t come off.