Manchester United have completed the signing of goalkeeper Karl Darlow on a free transfer from Leeds United, as the club reshuffles its goalkeeping department under manager Ruben Amorim. Darlow, 35, joins as the primary backup to first-choice Senne Lammens, while Andre Onana has agreed to another loan spell at Trabzonspor and Altay Bayindir is set to move back to Turkey.
Darlow's Role at Old Trafford
Darlow ended last season as Leeds' first-choice goalkeeper after Daniel Farke became impatient with Lucas Perri. Perceived mistakes against Manchester United and Newcastle forced Farke to bring back Darlow, and the Wales international did not disappoint. The 35-year-old played a pivotal role as Leeds survived relegation. However, when the campaign ended, Darlow discovered there were no guarantees he would keep his position and subsequently left on a free transfer.
According to Isaac Johnson, Leeds reporter at Leeds Live, "Leeds offered him a contract or there were definitely contract talks, and they wanted to keep him. Farke indicated towards the end of the season that he ideally wanted to keep him on. However, they couldn't guarantee him the number one spot. And so I think in his mind, it was a case of, well, do I play back-up at Leeds again, potentially? Or do I be the back-up at Man United where I've got better chances and better wages and all that? When Man United came calling and Leeds couldn't offer him a spot, I think it was a pretty easy decision for him to make."
Darlow's Attributes and Impact
The former Nottingham Forest and Newcastle goalkeeper will be the backup to Senne Lammens but will also provide stern competition for the Reds' first choice. Johnson added: "He comes for crosses, he's bold, he's got great communication. I remember in one of the games that we were covering, you could hear him from the stands. He's a very good shot stopper for someone of his age. He's actually quite agile as well. He can get up to shots really quickly. He's brave when he comes for the ball. He has been known to pull off some quite world class saves, really."
Johnson described Darlow as reliable and perfect as an understudy to Lammens: "He's like Lammens, but sort of like an older Lammens and perhaps not as good as Lammens either, but he's of the same ilk. So if he [Darlow] comes in as a number two in cup games or if he [Lammens] is injured, then defenders and the team can expect something similar to what Lammens gives Man United already. I think for Manchester United, it's a good signing, a solid signing and one that I think Leeds fans are a bit disappointed about."
Goalkeeping Department Overhaul
Manchester United's goalkeeping department was in desperate need of renovation before Ruben Amorim arrived. Erik ten Hag had signed Andre Onana to replace David de Gea, but Onana struggled to make his preferred ball-playing style work in the Premier League. After a defeat to Grimsby in the Carabao Cup, Amorim knew a change was needed and pushed through the signing of Senne Lammens from Royal Antwerp. Lammens made his debut against Sunderland last October and established himself as United's first choice.
With a return to the Champions League, United needed to increase standards. Darlow's arrival should now spark further changes in the United goalkeeper ranks. Onana has already agreed another loan spell at Trabzonspor for next season, while last season's understudy, Altay Bayindir, is set to move back to Turkey. Young goalkeeper Radek Vitek got a taste of regular football at Bristol City last season and is understood to could depart on loan again.
Potential Return to Face Leeds
One of Darlow's first matches for United could be against his old club in Dublin on August 12. While the Wales international was a free agent when he joined the Reds, Johnson expects the goalkeeper to receive a muted reception. "There's a lot of anger from some Leeds fans because he's gone to Man United and they're the enemy," he concluded. "He could potentially line up against Leeds in pre-season, if he plays. So that'll be interesting if that happens. I don't think he'll get much applause when he returns to Elland Road, certainly not from the majority anyway."
