Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann has already accepted that he will be Manchester United's second choice goalkeeper if he is to complete a move to Old Trafford this summer.
Bachmann, as reported by the Manchester Evening News , is United's prime target this summer to provide competition and back-up to first choice shot-stopper David de Gea. United have already confirmed the exit of Lee Grant this summer, while Dean Henderson is close to joining Nottingham Forest on a season-long loan deal.
It means that, as things stand, Tom Heaton and De Gea will be United's only two senior goalkeepers. De Gea, following an impressive 2021/22 campaign, is expected to continue as the club's No.1, with Heaton providing competition.
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However, United need a third senior shot-stopper to ensure they have enough strength in depth and cover in the goalkeeping department. Bachmann, who was relegated with Watford last term, would provide further cover and compete with Heaton for a place on the bench.
But although the reality for any goalkeeper is that there is only one position up for grabs, meaning opportunities can often be hard to come by, Bachmann, who was recently left out of former United interim manager Ralf Rangnick's first Austria squad, has admitted that he already knows De Gea will be ahead of him in the pecking order. That is because the Austrian has already addressed the possibility of moving to Old Trafford this summer.
"There was contact, it wasn't pulled out of thin air," said Bachmann, speaking last month. "I don't know whether the team boss [Rangnick] has a say in transfer matters.
"Several clubs have shown interest in me - but the most intensive contacts have come from Manchester. It is a massive honour for a club like that to be interested in you.
"I would be second choice behind David de Gea, who has been one of the Premier League's best keepers for years. But anything can happen in football.
"The performance principle applies. As a result, even big stars can sit on the subs' bench."
De Gea, despite only keeping eight Premier League clean sheets last term, was outstanding between the sticks for much of the season, proving himself as one of United's best players. He deserves to continue as the Reds' No.1 this forthcoming campaign, even if question marks have been raised about his distribution.
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