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(Credit: Imago)

Callum O'Connell

Mon 4 August 2025 16:30, UK

Man United are planning to agree a deal to sign a new goalkeeper before the transfer window closes, according to their former chief scout.

Mick Brown, who worked at Old Trafford for over a decade during the club’s most successful period and remains very well-connected there, exclusively told Football Insider that Ruben Amorim is determined to upgrade his options in goal.

As things stand, United will begin the season without their first-choice goalkeeper after Andre Onana picked up an injury during pre-season training.

That has only accelerated the Red Devils’ plans, as Brown told Football Insider in 26 June that Man United planned to sell Onana to clear space for his replacement.

Now, the possibility has emerged that United will make a move for a new goalkeeper regardless, and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martinez remains a key target for the position.

Brown told Football Insider on 28 June that United were prepared to hold talks with Martinez, and they have since seen a loan offer turned down by Villa.

Emiliano Martinez remains a target for Man United.

(Credit: Imago)

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This article contains exclusive comment from Mick Brown, a football transfer expert and former chief scout for Man United and Sunderland among others.

Football Insider exclusively revealed in June that United have been in frequent contact with Martinez all summer and are pushing to get a deal over the line.

Brown, who has a wealth of experience in top-level player recruitment after over a decade at Man United during their most successful period, insisted that the Argentina international has been the Red Devils’ top target to strengthen in goal.

“Man United still want to sign a goalkeeper,” he told Football Insider.

“Ruben Amorim wants to strengthen in that position and has been looking to do so.

“At the moment, they’re going to have to start the season without their first-choice goalkeeper because he’s picked up an injury in pre-season.

“I expected them to do more to sign Emiliano Martinez, but I am told that interest hasn’t gone away.

“Whether it’s him or somebody else, they want a new goalkeeper before the window closes.

“Aston Villa might have to sell somebody so United want to take advantage of that.

“I think Martinez is a very, very good goalkeeper who would be a major improvement on what they’ve got, and it seems the club agree with my view of things.

“Obviously, they haven’t been able to sell Onana, but I’m not sure how much of an issue that will be.

“They wanted to do that before signing Martinez, but the interest just hasn’t been there and it looks like he’s going to be staying.

“I think if they really want Martinez, they’ll try to get him even with Onana there and then hopefully they can move him on in January or next year.

“That’s the decision the club will have to make, whether they want to balance having both of them.“

Ruben Amorim remains keen to bolster his squad.

(Credit: Imago)

Despite ongoing speculation about incoming deals, talk about potential sales has refused to die down, with Bruno Fernandes once again linked with Saudi clubs.

Brown told Football Insider on 4 August that Man United have not ruled out selling Fernandes and have privately discussed accepting a “huge” offer for him.

As things stand, the midfielder is considered unlikely to leave while Ruben Amorim is keen for him to stay, but the right offer may change their stance.

This comes after Brown told Football Insider in May that Man United could accept offers for Fernandes after an in-house agreement that every player has their price.

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