Man Utd loan star could make permanent January switch

Rob McCarthy

Championship side Aston Villa are keen to make goalkeeper Sam Johnstone’s loan move from Manchester United a permanent one in January.

The United youngster is enjoying his second short-term spell with Steve Bruce’s men and has so far kept five clean sheets this season.

And Bruce is keen to agree terms with United for the 24-year-old: “It would be great to keep him here for the next few years as Villa’s No1.

“I will need to ask the question. The ideal move for us would be to buy him in January.

“You’ve seen it, a young goalkeeper coming in and getting better with every game he plays.

“The difference in him since he’s started in January to now is light years. He’s confident, playing every week and he’s playing real football.”

Johnstone, who has been sent out on loan 10 times without playing a single United game, is behind David de Gea, Sergio Romero and Joel Pereira in the pecking order at Old Trafford and it seems likely that United are willing to part company in the winter transfer window.