Manchester United are quietly reshaping their goalkeeper room this summer, and the frontrunner to step in as the new No. 2 is a familiar face. Sam Johnstone, the 33-year-old who came through United’s academy but never made a Premier League appearance for the club, is reportedly the preferred choice to replace Andre Onana.
According to talkSPORT, United have been working behind the scenes on what they’re calling an emotional return to Old Trafford for Johnstone. He left permanently back in 2018, but the club’s recruitment team sees him as the ideal homegrown backup goalkeeper the squad needs right now.
Onana’s Loan Exit Leaves a Hole
United already agreed a deal with Trabzonspor to send Onana on another season-long loan. That’s two frustrating years for the Cameroon international since his £47.2 million move from Inter Milan. He made 33 appearances in Turkey last season, but it wasn’t enough to convince the club to keep him around.
On top of that, Altay Bayindir is expected to head back to Turkey as well. He struggled to give Senne Lammens real competition for the starting job, so the Red Devils are essentially clearing out the backup spots and starting fresh.
Johnstone’s Path Back to Old Trafford
Johnstone spent seven years in United’s youth system before leaving without a single league appearance for his boyhood club. Since then, he’s built a solid reputation at Crystal Palace and most recently Wolves. Last season he made 12 starts for the Midlands side, but Wolves got relegated to the Championship, and Johnstone reportedly wants out.
Wolves paid about £10 million for him, and his contract runs through 2028. It’s not clear what they’d demand now that they’re in the second tier. But United are hoping the pull of a return home, plus the chance to compete for minutes in a more stable environment, will be enough to get a deal done.
The club is also looking for a homegrown No. 2 to satisfy roster rules and add experienced depth behind Lammens. Johnstone fits that profile perfectly. He’s English, he’s been around the league for years, and he knows the club’s culture from his academy days.
No deal is finalized yet, but United continue to work on it. For Johnstone, this would be a chance to finally make a Premier League appearance for the club he grew up supporting. For United, it’s a low-risk move that plugs a hole in the squad without breaking the bank.
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