Transfer Centre

Manchester United 'add Mike Maignan to list of David de Gea replacements'

By Darren Plant, Senior Reporter | 25 October 2022

Man United 'add Maignan to list of De Gea replacements'

Manchester United allegedly add AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan to the list of potential replacements for current first-choice stopper David de Gea.

Manchester United have reportedly identified AC Milan goalkeeper Mike Maignan as a potential future transfer target.

The Red Devils are currently well stocked for options between the sticks with David de Gea and Martin Dubravka competing for a first-team role.

However, Erik ten Hag's choice for his senior stopper is far more uncertain in the long term with De Gea having less than a year remaining on his contract and Dubravka only being on loan from Newcastle United.

Furthermore, Dean Henderson is on loan at Nottingham Forest and it remains to be seen whether the England international will ever become number one at Old Trafford.

Taking everything into consideration, United officials will naturally have to assess alternatives in the market ahead of the summer transfer window.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag on October 2, 2022 © Reuters

According to Calciostyle, the Premier League giants are prepared to give consideration to signing Maignan from AC Milan.

While the France international only moved to San Siro in 2021, the 27-year-old went on to help Milan win the Serie A title in his first campaign at the club.

Although Maignan is currently sidelined with a calf injury, he has already made 48 appearances for I Rossoneri in all competitions since departing Lille.

Maignan had been hoping to represent his national team at the World Cup until suffering a relapse in his recovery from his recent calf issue last week.

David de Gea in action for Manchester United on August 7, 2022 © Reuters

Despite having over three-and-a-half years remaining on his contract, the report adds that Maignan would be open to moving to the Premier League in the future.

With regards to De Gea, Ten Hag has recently been presented with questions over the future of the long-serving Spaniard, who recently made his 500th outing for United in all competitions.

As it stands, however, the Red Devils are not looking to hold contract talks, Ten Hag being quoted by The Sun as saying: "I like him, I can really cooperate with him really well but first we go to the winter and then we will talk about how deal with such situations.

"In this moment we only think about performing, we have a lot of games to go, so I don't want to get that interfered by talks. We have to focus on football and performances, not on negotiating. That's what we have to do now."

While De Gea is in a position where he can theoretically speak to foreign clubs in January, United are highly likely to activate a one-year option in his contract before the turn of the year if they have not successfully negotiated fresh terms.