Manchester United secures two signings! They confirm a free transfer for a new second-choice goalkeeper to replace Onana, indicating that two players are certain to leave.

During the pre-season training phase, Manchester United has sped up its transfer activities. Apart from the £50 million acquisition Andre Santos, another footballer is also set to join. As reported by Simon Stone of the BBC and Laurie Whitwell of The Athletic, 35-year-old goalkeeper Karl Darlow has reached an agreement with Manchester United, completed his medical, and will be officially unveiled soon.

Italian transfer expert Fabrizio Romano reported: "Manchester United have reached an agreement with Darlow to bring him in as a backup goalkeeper. HERE WE GO! The deal is done, signing on Friday, contract until 2029, with an extension clause."

Last season, Darlow made 22 Premier League appearances for Leeds United and was the final choice of manager Daniel Farke as the team's starting goalkeeper, beating out another goalkeeper Illan Meslier and new signing Lucas Perry. However, Darlow's contract expired at the end of June, and he has left Elland Road. Darlow is also Wales' first-choice national team goalkeeper and holds Premier League "homegrown status".

Manchester United wanted to bring in an experienced backup goalkeeper, preferably with Premier League background and being a domestic player, to help the club meet registration requirements for the upcoming Premier League and Champions League campaigns, and to rotate with Senna Lammers as needed.

So-called "homegrown status" is not simply based on nationality but depends on youth training experience. A player who has been with or registered under a club under the English or Welsh Football Association for three years before turning 21 can be considered a homegrown player. The Premier League requires at least eight such players in a squad of 25; otherwise, registration slots are reduced.

Darlow came through the youth systems of Aston Villa and Nottingham Forest, joined Forest's first team in 2010, and became a regular in the Championship. He first played in the Premier League with Newcastle United, then moved to Leeds United in the Championship. Although he was once displaced by Meslier, this year he experienced a career resurgence and established himself again in the Premier League.

Data shows that from mid-January to the end of the season, Darlow played in all of Leeds' Premier League matches, with the team losing only 4 out of 17 rounds, thereby finishing 14th in the league and successfully avoiding relegation. Manager Farke praised him as very reliable and solid, and he also performed well for the team in the 2024/25 season. Notably, in that season Darlow was a backup, making only 7 appearances during Leeds' Championship title-winning campaign.

Therefore, Manchester United judged that Darlow can competently serve as the team's second-choice goalkeeper. After weeks of negotiations, the transfer is now in its final stages, with only a few details remaining. It is reported that he will sign and be officially announced on Friday together with Andre Santos. In Carrick's squad, Darlow will act as a backup to Lammers, mainly participating in the EFL Cup and FA Cup competitions.

Manchester United's other option was Sam Johnstone, who is well-known to have come through the Red Devils' youth academy. However, the 33-year-old Johnstone still has two years left on his contract with Wolves, who were relegated to the Championship, and signing him would require a transfer fee. Sir Jim Ratcliffe deemed it unnecessary to pay a fee for a backup goalkeeper, so they opted for Darlow.

Darlow also attracted interest from Everton, but he chose to join the Red Devils. Although Manchester United and Leeds United are considered rivals, there have been many player transfers between the two clubs. Red Devils legends such as Rio Ferdinand, Alan Smith, and Gordon McQueen all came from the "White Rose."

Darlow's arrival signals that Altay Bayindir and Radek Vitek are certain to leave the club. Last season, the 28-year-old Bayindir lost his starting spot to Lammers and did not play a single minute afterward. He is considering returning to the Turkish Super Lig to get more playing time.

22-year-old Czech youngster Vitek will also depart. He performed well during his loan spell at Bristol City last season. Now, he will either go on another loan or make a permanent move, with the latter being more likely since his contract has only two years remaining.

Therefore, Carrick needed to bring in a new goalkeeper like Darlow. After all, the newly extended 40-year-old veteran Tom Heaton has not played for the first team since February 2023; he is purely a training-type third-choice goalkeeper.

If Darlow's signing is completed as expected, he will directly join the pre-season training. Manchester United's first friendly match will be on July 18 in Helsinki against Championship side Wrexham.