According to latest reports, Manchester United have expressed interest in signing Anderlecht goalkeeper Bart Verbruggen this summer. With uncertainty looming over David de Gea’s future at Old Trafford, the Red Devils are determined on bringing in a new shot-stopper.
Bart Verbruggen made his debut for Anderlecht two years ago when then manager Vincent Kompany started him against Club Brugge in the JPL Playoff I Round. Being just 18-years-old at the time, the manager trusted the youngster and he did not disappoint. Even after Kompany’s departure, the youngster has continued to impress.
The Dutch shot-stopper has kept 13 clean sheets in 37 games for the Belgian side in all competitions this season (stats via Transfermarkt). He received his maiden international call-up for the Netherlands in March 2023 for the UEFA Euro 2024 qualifiers.
According to Manchester Evening News, Manchester United have enlisted Bart Verbruggen as one of the options to replace veteran David de Gea. The Red Devils are yet to discover the price for the player. However, the Belgium side won’t let him go easily because he is a bright prospect and has a contract with the club till June 2025.
Erik ten Hag’s side are looking at a number of goalkeeping options this summer. Three keepers from United will be out of contract at the end of the season. Earlier this campaign, the English club hired a goalkeeping recruitment analyst to sort out this problem.
Whether De Gea reaches an agreement with the club or not, his role at Old Trafford next season is still not assured. Bart Verbruggen has a good chance to be the number 1 keeper at Manchester United if he impresses manager the Dutch manager. It would be a remarkable achievement to become the first-choice keeper of such a prestigious club at such a young age.
Manchester United target Bart Verbruggen saved ALL 3 of Ludogorets’ penalties in the UEFA Conference League to help his team into the Round of 16.
A Thread 🧵👇 pic.twitter.com/7UEJABSIwP
— Charlie (@ThreadmanChaza) May 12, 2023
Nevertheless, the Red Devils have marked multiple targets as successor to the Spanish shot-stopper. The club are closely monitoring Andre Onana of Inter Milan and Borussia Dortmund’s Gregor Kobel as replacements. They have also identified Illan Meslier from recently-relegated Leeds United as one of their options going forward.
Why Manchester United are Exploring the Option of Signing Bart Verbruggen?
David de Gea has played his 12th season at the Theatre of Dreams. He has been one of the most important players at the club in the last decade. However, he has made some costly errors over the past few seasons that have come biting back at United.
The Spaniard has made four terrible mistakes this season that have directly led to a goal. It is the joint most number of errors by any goalkeeper in the Premier League in this campaign. He also made two blunders against Sevilla which cost United a place in the Europa League semi-finals.
A few days later, the 32-year-old once again fumbled to parry a shot against West Ham which put United’s chances of qualifying for the Champions League next season in jeopardy. The fans are now beginning to think that his time as the Red Devils’ first-choice goalkeeper is almost over.
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Moreover, Ten Hag wants a keeper who is comfortable with the ball at his feet and who handles the pressure well and the Dutch international does excel in these areas. Vincent Kompany is also of the same opinion that goalkeepers should be good with their feet. Moreover, the Dutch manager wants his keeper to complete both long and short passes accurately.
Brian Reimer, the current coach of Anderlecht, has mentioned that Verbruggen plays like he has the experience of playing 300 matches. Moreover, his teammate Jan Vertonghen has highlighted that the 20-year-old has all the attributes to be one of the best keepers in Europe.
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