Watford keeper Daniel Bachmann reveals Manchester United contact, with Ralf Rangnick thought to be behind the move
Speaking to Sky Sports Austria (h/t The Sun), Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann has revealed that Manchester United have made contact with him regarding a move in the summer, with former interim manager Ralf Rangnick said to be behind the move.
Bachmann has been in and out of the Watford team this season, having to battle Ben Foster for the No. 1 spot. In the latter half of the campaign, the Austrian has had to make do with a place on the bench as Foster was preferred by the head coach.
Ahead of the opening of the transfer window, the keeper has revealed that United have made contact with him, saying that it is a massive honour for such a big club to be interested in him. He also insisted that he does not know if Rangnick had a say in the proposed transfer.
“There has been contact with Manchester United. It hasn’t just fallen out of the sky. I don’t know whether the team boss [Rangnick] has a say in transfer matters. Several clubs have shown interest in me – but the most intensive contacts have come from Manchester. It is a massive honour for a club like that to be interested in you.”
Rangnick left his position as interim boss of the Red Devils to take up the role as manager of the Austria national team, where he works closely with Bachmann. It is thought that the German is behind the move for the shot-stopper.
“The performance principle applies”
Watford finished the 2021/22 campaign by suffering relegation to the Championship, with Bachmann unable to contribute to his team’s fight to stay in the Premier League. However, a transfer to United could see him seal an instant return to the top-flight.
The 27-year-old acknowledged that he would become second-choice at Old Trafford behind David de Gea, but insisted that anything could happen in football. The Austria international said that the performance principle would apply, where even big stars could sit on the bench.
“I would be second choice behind David de Gea, who has been one of the Premier League’s best keepers for years. But anything can happen in football. The performance principle applies. As a result, even big stars can sit on the subs’ bench.”
de Gea is likely to stay on as the club’s first-choice keeper under the new manager, given how impressive he has been this term. The Spaniard has gotten his team out of trouble many times in the past, and it would be a surprise to see him be dropped for a new face.
Bachmann was certainly not the first pick at Watford, so it will be interesting to see how he fits in at United if he joins ahead of the new season. His comments make it seem that he is aware that he will be de Gea’s deputy, looking to provide the Premier League winner with some competition.
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This also suggests that the Manchester side has other plans for Dean Henderson, who is currently the second-choice keeper at the club. The Carrington graduate has had to settle for a place on the bench due to de Gea’s form and could seek a move elsewhere in search of regular football.
Tom Heaton is another name on the list of keepers that the Red Devils have, so it will be interesting to see what happens of the ex-Burnley man. Having rejoined United last summer, he has not featured in the PL since his move.
