Daniel Bachmann still frontrunner for the backup goalkeeper role at Manchester United
According to talkSPORT’s Alex Crook, speaking to Give Me Sport (h/t Football League World), Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann is still the frontrunner for the backup goalkeeping role at Manchester United.
The Austrian is being touted as an option for the Red Devils as the second choice behind David de Gea. Erik ten Hag has chosen the 27-year-old as a potential replacement for the departing Dean Henderson.
“At the moment, I think he’s definitely the frontrunner to become De Gea’s understudy with Henderson going out on a straight loan deal to Nottingham Forest.”
But it was recently said that United had been priced out of a deal. But Crook believes Bachmann is still the favourite to be the backup at Old Trafford next season.
Replacing Henderson with Bachmann a mistake
While De Gea was United’s best player last season, the Spaniard’s distribution from out the back leaves much to be desired. The 31-year-old doesn’t possess the ability on the ball most modern goalkeepers do.
Henderson made a name for himself at Sheffield United before the Red Devils decided to bring the English goalkeeper back to Old Trafford, promising a potential starting berth in the future. But since his return 2 years back, the 25-year-old hasn’t been given an opportunity to prove himself.
Last campaign, Henderson featured in just 5 games for the side from Manchester as De Gea continued to remain between the sticks. Now on the verge of another loan move, the 25-year-old will probably leave with a sour taste in his mouth.
Bachmann is the one seemingly chosen to replace the youngster. The Austrian was involved in 12 games for the Vicarage Road side in the Premier League last season as the Hornets were relegated. It’s evident that Bachmann won’t be involved much in the first team if we sign him.
More Manchester United News
- Transfer News: Feyenoord star Tyrell Malacia decides to join Manchester United this summer
- Erik ten Hag following in Alex Ferguson’s footsteps at Manchester United
- Zidane Iqbal signs new contract with Manchester United
But it remains to be seen what sort of football Ten Hag decides to play. The Dutch manager’s teams are known for playing out the back and starting the build-up from the goalkeeper.
With someone as inept on the ball as our current first choice, it wouldn’t be surprising to see Ten Hag bench De Gea in the coming future as Luis Enrique has done at the Spanish national side.