Review of Manchester United transfer targets: Goalkeepers

David De Gea

It’s not unusual to have United linked with so many players in the lead up to the summer, but unlike the past few seasons, Sir Alex hasn’t come out and said he won’t be buying anyone, actually to the contrary he has himself said we’d be getting in at least 2-3 players this summer.

The enormity of players linked to the club is so large I had to divide the article into parts that I will publish over the next few weeks. So the best place to begin is the heart of a team’s defense, a Goalkeeper.

A new goalkeeper looks a certainty, especially since Tomasz Kuszczak has come out and confirmed his departure from the club this summer. And there have been a number of goalkeepers linked to the club; and almost every top GK in the world looks likely to move to United this summer if we were to believe the papers. So here’s a look at my top 5 contenders for a move to Old Trafford:

David de Gea

He looks the most likely player to succeed Sir Alex this summer, and has been widely linked with a move to United from last season, and the move looks very likely now with several reports stating that Atletico and United have agreed on a price for the 20 year old. Sure to be Spain’s no. 1 once Iker Cassillas hangs up his gloves, his potential is there for all to see and he would be a brilliant addition to our team.

Even though he’s only 20, De Gea has lots of match experience, and has kept out another talented GK, Sergio Asenjo from the team. De Gea’s uncanny resemblance to Van der Sar and also blessed with excellent reflexes and shot stopping skills, he seems perfect to replace Edwin. For a more detailed report on De Gea, check here.

Manuel Neuer

The German no. 1 is another player who has been very widely linked with United, but his insistence on leaving Germany only after he’s won a title there makes his move to United very unlikely.

Neuer was the German no. 2 behind Rene Adler, but an injury prior to the World Cup to Adler gave him a chance at the biggest stage in the world and he did brilliantly and was one of the best goal keepers in the world cup. Neuer is a giant at 6ft 4in and dominant in the box. Neuer is an almost complete GK, and will surely get better with experience. A good choice to replace Edwin, whether Neuer will move to United if we go for him depends entirely on him.

Adler and Neuer

Rene Adler

Another great goalkeeper to emerge from Germany, Adler was Germany’s no. 1 going into the World cup until he sustained a rib injury and has since lost out to Manuel Neuer. That said, he isn’t too far off Neuer in terms of ability and only 26, he has time on his side to recapture his position in the side.

Adler is another giant of a keeper (6ft 3in), and has very good reflexes and is steady in the air. Adler has also been widely linked with a move to United, and the fact that he’s a huge Manchester United fan is something that I think is important. Adler even has a release clause exclusive to only Manchester United on his contract. Plus if we do go for him, we do get loyalty and that I think that is very important and I’d rather have that than someone who’d want to leave the club once they become superstars here.

Hugo Lloris

The French no. 1 is probably the best young keeper in the world right now, and it’s not a surprise that he’s been linked with a move to United. But Lyon is unlikely to sell him cheap, and he’s sure to cost a hefty amount to any team interested in getting him.

Lloris is a very agile player, has good command of his box and is an excellent shot stopper. Lloris is among the best in the world and if not united he’s sure to be snapped up by one of the European giants soon. If Sir Alex is willing to spend a hefty sum on a goalkeeper then I don’t think we should look past Lloris, having played regular first team football since the age of 18, and also lots of International experience, Lloris is the steadiest keeper out there.

Hugo Lloris

Jose Manuel Reina

A controversial pick, he might play for Liverpool but he’s a player I wouldn’t mind watching play for us. He has fast evolved form an error prone GK when he first arrived to one of the best GK’s in the Premier league, and is the only GK available who has experience playing in the premier league.

I think Reina is the best player at Liverpool right now, he is agile, quick and an excellent shot stopper. Also he has impeccable distribution, initiating several Liverpool attacks with a quick release of the ball. With Liverpool looking likely to miss out on the Champions League again, and certain go trophy less again, Reina has so far restrained from committing his future to the club or even denying a move to United. So anything is possible!

Jose Reina

Those were the goalkeepers among whom I think is the player we’ll sign this sumemr, there have also been the likes of Buffon, Akinfeev, Mandanda, Frey and Stekelenburg linked with us but their moves looks very unlikely. Whoever we sign Sir Alex is sure to ensure he has done his research properly, because the last thing he’d want is a repeat of the goalkeeper roulette that followed Schmeichel’s departure from the team.