Man Utd Set Sights on Former Favourite After Latest Transfer Deal 2026

Key Points

• Manchester United are reportedly considering a move for Wolves goalkeeper Sam Johnstone, a former academy player who never made a competitive appearance for the club.
• The renewed interest comes after United confirmed Andre Onana’s season-long loan to Trabzonspor, leaving Senne Lammens as first choice and creating a need for a reliable No 2.
• United have also looked at Karl Darlow, who left Leeds United on a free transfer, though The Sun indicates Johnstone is now the priority.
• Johnstone, 33, spent seven years on United’s books between 2011 and 2018 before leaving for West Brom, where he was later sold to Crystal Palace for around £5m.
• Both Johnstone and Darlow would count towards United’s homegrown quota, a key factor in the club’s recruitment strategy.
• The move is being described as a “surprise” because Johnstone has not been linked with United in recent years and has built his career elsewhere.
• The Athletic in June first outlined the two stoppers United were monitoring, with teamtalk and The Sun later confirming an active push for Johnstone.

FC United of Manchester (Manchester Mirror) July 08, 2026 – Manchester United are working on a potential return for former academy goalkeeper Sam Johnstone as they seek a dependable backup to new first-choice Senne Lammens. The development follows the club’s announcement that Andre Onana will remain at Turkish side Trabzonspor for another season-long loan, ending hopes he would compete seriously for the No 1 role at Old uk/local/trafford/">Trafford.

As reported by teamtalk, an afternoon update stated:

“Manchester United are considering a surprise move to bring former academy goalkeeper Sam Johnstone back to Old Trafford this summer.”

The report added that Johnstone, now 33, spent seven years as a first-team player at United between 2011 and 2018 but never made a competitive appearance before leaving permanently for West Brom.

How does Onana’s exit reshape United’s goalkeeper hierarchy?

Over the weekend, Man Utd announced Andre Onana had re-signed with Turkish side Trabzonspor for another season-long loan, confirming he would not be part of United’s immediate plans. Onana had hoped to be given a chance to prove his worth at Old Trafford, but with Lammens an instant hit, Manchester United saw no need to deviate from the Belgian.

But with Onana gone and Altay Bayindir expected to return to Turkey too, Manchester United need a dependable new No 2 to slot in behind Lammens and ahead of Tom Heaton. That gap has pushed the club to reconsider experienced, homegrown options who can step in without disrupting the established hierarchy.

Why Sam Johnstone fits United’s short-term needs

The bulk of the action at Manchester United this summer is and will continue to come in central midfield, with Ederson potentially becoming their first midfield signing once he passes the second part of his medical in England. Beyond the Brazilian, United want two more midfielders signed, and if able to offload Marcus Rashford, a new left winger too.

However, going under the radar is the Red Devils’ need to add a new back-up stopper to Senne Lammens. A prior report from The Athletic in June shed light on the two stoppers Man Utd were taking a look at, explaining that United were considering Karl Darlow as an experienced backup goalkeeper.

What role did The Athletic play in uncovering United’s goalkeeper targets?

The Athletic in June reported: “Manchester United are considering a move for Karl Darlow as they search for an experienced backup goalkeeper. The 35-year-old’s contract with Leeds United expires at the end of this month and so he would be available on a free transfer. Leeds want to keep Darlow and are expected to offer him a new deal. United have also discussed Wolves’ Sam Johnstone as an option”.

The report added: “Sam Johnstone, 33, is another option for United. Johnstone, who came through United’s academy, has two years left on his Wolves contract. Both Darlow and Johnstone would count towards United’s homegrown quota”.

How did The Sun confirm United’s preference for Johnstone?

Darlow has since left Leeds via free agency, though according to The Sun, it’s Johnstone – who was on Man Utd’s books between 2011–18 – who United want. After a morning report claimed Manchester United were “making a move” for the Wolves goalkeeper, an update in the afternoon stated United are considering a surprise move to bring Johnstone back to Old Trafford.

Morning coverage by teamtalk described the situation as Man Utd “making a move” for Sam Johnstone, highlighting the club’s active pursuit of the veteran. That was followed by The Sun’s confirmation that Johnstone is now the preferred target over Darlow, despite the latter’s availability on a free transfer.

What is Sam Johnstone’s career trajectory since leaving United?

Sam Johnstone’s senior career began away from Manchester United, where he left in 2018 for West Bromwich Albion. He later became a key figure at Wolves, before joining Crystal Palace on a free transfer and signing a four-year deal, according to BBC Sport. During his time at Palace, he established himself as an England goalkeeper, earning three caps.

His transfer to West Brom was reported as one of the more expensive English goalkeeper moves in recent history, with 90min noting Johnstone’s £5m fee to West Brom among the top ten most expensive English goalkeepers ever. Despite that, he never made a competitive appearance for Manchester United during his seven-year spell in their youth and first-team setup.

Background: The development of United’s goalkeeper recruitment strategy

Manchester United’s interest in Johnstone reflects a broader strategy to secure experienced, homegrown cover without disrupting the promotion of younger first-choice options. The club’s decision to keep Onana on loan and move Bayindir back to Turkey signals a clear preference for Lammens as the long-term No 1, with Heaton as the ceremonial third choice.

In this context, United’s recruitment has focused on defenders and midfielders who can add depth immediately, while goalkeeper planning has been more cautious. The Athletic’s initial report in June outlined a dual-track approach: Darlow as a free-agent option and Johnstone as a contract-based alternative, both of whom would satisfy homegrown quota rules. The Sun’s later reporting narrowed that focus to Johnstone, suggesting United have prioritised familiarity and United DNA over a straightforward free transfer.

Prediction: How this move could affect Manchester United fans and stakeholders

If Manchester United complete a deal for Sam Johnstone, the immediate impact will be on fan perception of the club’s recruitment logic. Many supporters view the return of a former academy player who never played competitively for the club as romantic, while others may question whether a 33-year-old is the right profile for a long-term backup. For fans, the narrative will centre on whether Johnstone can provide the stability United need behind Lammens without becoming a wage bill burden.

For the wider United ecosystem – including sponsors, media, and betting partners – the move adds a “homegrown storyline” that can be marketed alongside United’s broader midfield rebuild. Journalists such as those at teamtalk and The Sun have already framed the bid as a “surprise,” which tends to generate additional engagement and discussion. If Johnstone signs, United will have a clear No 1, a reliable, homegrown No 2, and a veteran third choice, potentially reducing the need for further goalkeeper investment in the short term and allowing resources to be focused on midfield and attack.