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Southampton shot-stopper Alex McCarthy on Manchester United radar for new backup goalkeeper
Alex McCarthy is one of the names on the list of Manchester United for a new backup goalkeeper, according to 90min (h/t Manchester Evening News). The Southampton star is on the Red Devils’ radar.
McCarthy seems to have gone down the pecking order at the Hampshire-based club. The Saints signed Gavin Bazunu from Manchester City this summer. The Ireland international is an exciting prospect and started the first game of the season against Tottenham Hotspur.
The arrival of Bazunu at Southampton leaves 32-year-old McCarthy in an uncertain position. United are in search of a new number two for David de Gea. The Red Devils loaned out Dean Henderson this transfer window to Nottingham Forest.
Currently, the Manchester-based club have two senior shot-stoppers in De Gea and Tom Heaton. Among them, the Spaniard is the first choice. The 31-year-old played the majority of the games in the previous campaign under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.
A dearth of opportunities in Manchester apparently compelled Henderson to search for game time elsewhere. But it left United scarce in the goalkeeping position.
McCarthy is an experienced international. The 32-year-old has been a regular for the Saints for almost five years now. The Englishman was a key player for Ralf Hassenhutl’s side in the 2021/22 season. However, a hamstring injury hampered his season.
The pre-season under Erik ten Hag has seen Heaton get an opportunity to play. But it looks like the management want another goalkeeper, instead of the 36-year-old, to provide protection in between the sticks in the absence of De Gea.
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Southampton lost Fraser Forster in the summer, but they have other options in the position, like Willy Caballero. It remains to be seen whether McCarthy will fancy being a backup in Manchester.
