Manchester United are reportedly keeping close tabs on 34-year-old Club Brugge goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
According to Hln.be, Premier League giants Manchester United are interested in Club Brugge’s Belgian international goalkeeper Simon Mignolet.
The shot-stopper spent nine years in England, playing for Sunderland and Liverpool before moving to Club Brugge in 2019. His time at Anfield had several highs on a collective level but saw the player drop down the pecking order before eventually becoming the understudy to Alisson Becker.
Mignolet’s decision to leave Merseyside bore fruit, and he has thrived in the Belgian top division. With 64 clean sheets in 157 games, he is enjoying a resurgence of sorts. This has largely rebuilt his reputation as a reliable last line of defence.
At 34, Mignolet is not young. However, his experience and shot-stopping ability make him an attractive target. Erik ten Hag appears sold on the veteran’s ability and is keeping a close eye on his situation.
A move to Old Trafford is unlikely to secure Mignolet much game time. He is expected to become an understudy to David de Gea and step up to the fore when needed. Tom Heaton offers experience but is far from a proven player at the top level. Mignolet certainly has the edge in that department.
Manchester United also signed Martin Dubravka on loan this past summer. As things stand, he looks set to return to Newcastle United next summer meaning the Red Devils need to bring in another goalkeeper. This is where Mignolet could come in.
The Belgian goalkeeper signed a contract extension at Club Brugge until 2026 and is a key part of their first XI. It will come as a surprise should they allow him to move on easily. As a former Liverpool player, Mignolet moving to Manchester United is not without its talking points. However, he still has much to contribute and could prove to be a shrewd acquisition for ten Hag.
The Red Devils signed Michael Owen back in 2009 towards the end of the English international’s career. Despite his allegiance to Liverpool, the striker played his part in winning the 2011 Premier League trophy. Manchester United fans will hope that Mignolet can have a similar impact at the Theatre of Dreams.
The potential transfer also represents the 34-year-old’s final chance of moving to another big club. Whether this interest from Manchester United will gain traction as we approach the summer of 2023 remains to be seen.
