Watford goalkeeper Daniel Bachmann has revealed Manchester United have contacted him about a prospective move this summer.
New Red Devils boss Erik ten Hag is plotting a busy first window in charge as he goes about overhauling a United squad which has just finished its worst ever Premier League season. There are several positions the Dutchman will want to swiftly upgrade, including in central defence and midfield.
But the likely departure of Dean Henderson will also bring the need to find a back-up ‘keeper to first choice stopper David de Gea. Henderson looks set to leave Old Trafford, having lost the battle for the No.1 jersey to the Spaniard, making just three appearances in all competitions last term.
Behind Henderson, United have Tom Heaton, who was signed on a free last summer, while Lee Grant recently announced his retirement from professional football. Manchester Evening News had previously reported that Bachmann, 27, was a target for United, with the Austrian admitting that new national team manager Ralf Rangnick was likely behind it.
Rangnick had expected to stay at Old Trafford on a consultancy basis for two years, but the former interim boss revealed he would instead give his full focus to the Austria job - but only after holding talks with the new manager. Bachmann wasn’t included in Rangnick’s first international squad, but has indicated that United have reached out to him ahead of the summer window.
"There was contact, it wasn't pulled out of thin air," Sky Sport Austria quoted him as saying. “I don't know whether the team boss [Rangnick] has a say in transfer matters.
HAVE YOUR SAY! How many signings do Man Utd need to make this summer? Let us know in the comments
"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."
Bachmann has been with the Hornets since 2017 and has two years remaining on his contract. During their relegation from the Premier League, he usurped Ben Foster as the club’s starter and has previously suggested he would be happy to stay at Vicarage Road and play in the Championship.
He added: “There were difficult months, a lot went wrong in the whole team, but I have a contract until 2024, Watford want to keep me and I feel comfortable here.”
Rangnick and Ten Hag reportedly held lengthy talks prior to the former's departure and The Telegraph claim that during the two-hour call, the state of the squad and what needs to be done moving forward was discussed. United’s new-look squad will return to pre-season training on June 27, with Ten Hag already setting a target of finishing in the top four and securing a Champions League return in his first campaign in charge.
He explained: “I said this is the project, to bring Man United back on top, but also we have to accept the current situation we are in. First of all, Man United belong in the Champions League, so that will be the first target.”
