Freddie Woodman could go from playing for Preston North End to feature for Manchester United next season according to a report.
The Lancashire side’s number one stopper is out of contract this summer and has played in 37 of 44 Championship matches this season. His campaign was curtailed with an ankle injury following the Deepdale side’s match against Portsmouth in March.
Report Links Woodman With Red Devils
According to Peter O’Rourke of Football Insider, Ruben Amorim’s team have begun working on a deal to bring the 28-year-old in on a free transfer. He has limited Premier League experience with Newcastle United, playing four games in the top flight during the Magpies’ goalkeeper injury crisis in the 2021/22 season.
It is reported that he will become the replacement for Tom Heaton as the third-choice keeper for the club, with the ex-Burnley keeper set to depart Old Trafford this summer. A previous story from Football Insider also suggested that backup Altay Bayindir could also be heading for the exit door.
United’s goalkeeping troubles have been well-documented this season, with Andre Onana finding himself under frequent fire for costly errors, which led him to be dropped against Woodman’s former side in Newcastle. However, Bayindir’s own performance in that game at St James’ Park led to the Cameroonian being reinstated by the following match.
Veteran keeper David Cornell has stepped up for Preston following the injury to Woodman, playing in eight Championship matches this season.
Writer’s View
This report suggesting Freddie Woodman could head to Manchester United feels like a very dubious link. Freddie Woodman has been a standout for Preston since arriving at the club three seasons ago and at 28, now is probably not the time to step into a reserve goalkeeper role. Even with how poor the season has gone for North End, they have reasons for optimism with an FA Cup quarter-final appearance. He is out of contract in the summer, though, and a move to United would likely see him get a big wage boost if this story is to be believed.
