Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy is reportedly on Manchester United’s radar, who plan to make a summer move for the 32-year-old English international.
According to reputed journalist Jonas Hen Shrag, Manchester United are plotting a move for Southampton goalkeeper Alex McCarthy to replace Dean Henderson, who has joined Nottingham Forest on loan. The 32-year-old English international will play as an understudy to David de Gea, who is set to continue as the club’s number one shot-stopper for the 2022/23 season.
Alex McCarthy has been with Southampton since the 2016 summer transfer window and has majorly shuffled the number one spot at the St. Mary’s Stadium with Fraser Forster. The latter has now joined Tottenham Hotspur on a free transfer, while McCarthy is still with the Saints.
The English international has turned out 129 times thus far for the Saints across all competitions, keeping 34 clean sheets in the process. McCarthy still has three years left on his current contract with Southampton but could be on the move this summer.
Southampton have signed Gavin Bazunu from Manchester City this summer, and he started their opening match of the Premier League season, which ended in a 4-1 defeat to Tottenham Hotspur. McCarthy could be the second-choice goalkeeper at the club for the foreseeable future, and the 32-year-old could thus think of making a summer move.
Manchester United, who lost Dean Henderson to Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal, are interested in getting the 32-year-old on board. Erik ten Hag has clarified that de Gea will continue to be the club’s number one, despite his shortcomings in a system which prefers to play out from the back. Therefore, McCarthy will have to play as the understudy to the Spaniard.
The Red Devils have so far completed three signings in the ongoing window. Left-back Tyrell Malacia has arrived from Feyenoord, whereas centre-back Lisandro Martinez has joined from Ajax. Moreover, playmaker Christian Eriksen has joined Manchester United on a free transfer.
The club are still in discussion with Barcelona and Frenkie de Jong over a summer move while signing a striker is also on their agenda. As for the goalkeeping targets, Illan Meslier has popped up on their radar, with Manchester United having several options this summer.
