Manchester United plans to sign another goalkeeper next year, with two candidates revealed; Big Martin still a possible addition! Ramens likely to remain a long-term backup.

Manchester United secured new goalkeeper Senna Ramens for £18 million in a last-minute summer deal, but he has yet to make his debut. Moreover, British media suggest the 23-year-old Belgian may serve mainly as a long-term substitute, with the club still intending to buy a more experienced first-choice goalkeeper in 2026.

Ramens has only played in Belgium, and although he has a season of Champions League experience, he has yet to appear for the Belgian national team. His chances of becoming United’s long-term number one seem unconvincing. In the last two matches, Ruben Amorim has continued to choose Turkish keeper Altay Bayindir.

Belgian football experts have praised Ramens highly, even claiming he could surpass De Gea, but they also admit his biggest challenge is adapting to the intense competitiveness of the Premier League.

David Vandenbroeck commented: "Ramens handles crosses quite well, but the level of physicality in the Belgian league is incomparable to the Premier League. There are so many strong teams in the Premier League whose players can easily score headers. I’m curious how Ramens will cope with this. He prefers to come off his line and catch balls, and I hope his physique will prevent opponents from pushing him off. Belgian goalkeepers are reliable; Courtois is one of the world’s best, and Mats Sels has performed well in the Premier League for Nottingham Forest."

According to The Sun, Amorim lacks full confidence in both keepers and believes neither deserves to be Manchester United’s long-term number one. Therefore, when the club’s budget allows next year, they may sign a genuine first-choice goalkeeper. Reportedly, AC Milan’s Mike Maignan and Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez are among the targets.

This summer, Maignan was a target for Chelsea, but they failed to agree on a transfer fee with AC Milan; their £25 million offer was rejected. However, the 30-year-old French keeper’s contract expires at the end of this season. He has extensive top-flight experience, surpassing Bayindir or Ramens. Maignan is not only Milan’s captain with over 150 appearances but has also played for Lille in Ligue 1 and represented France 34 times.

Maignan shares the same agent as Manchester United’s summer signing Mbemba, which means the Red Devils have a good relationship with him. This could be important for a free transfer, though signing bonuses and wages remain key factors. At Milan, Maignan earns a net annual salary of €3.5 million, roughly equivalent to a £120,000 weekly wage in the Premier League.

Manchester United also tried twice this summer to bring in Big Martin, but Aston Villa rejected the first loan request. The second late bid failed because Sancho refused a permanent move to Villa. The 33-year-old Martin has always wanted to join United, but his £200,000 weekly wage and £40 million transfer fee are obstacles to making that dream a reality. United legend Peter Schmeichel supports Martin’s signing, believing the club should bring him in.

Manchester United loaned André Onana to Trabzonspor in the Turkish league this summer. Despite his strong performance this season, the Cameroonian is unlikely to return to United. Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano confirmed that both United and Onana believe his chapter at the club is over. "As far as I know, both parties consider this cooperation effectively finished. Therefore, it’s hard to imagine Onana staying at United next summer."

If Onana is sold, United will have the funds and space to sign a new goalkeeper. Meanwhile, third-choice keeper Tom Heaton will turn 40 in April next year and may retire after the season ends. Heaton hasn’t played any official matches since February 2023 and has only appeared three times since rejoining United in July 2021.