United eye shock swoop for 6ft 5 Scotland No 1 as summer plan twists

Only at Manchester United can a summer that started fast become a maze of maybes. Samuel Luckhurst says the Red Devils are lining up a surprise free transfer for Scotland’s towering No 1, Angus Gunn, even as their early capture of Ederson (a £35m agreement set to be wrapped up when he’s back from Brazil duty in North America) sits ready to rubber-stamp.

Goalkeeping shuffle: Gunn in the frame

United have long targeted a goalkeeper, but the brief is clear: a dependable deputy to Senne Lammens after the Belgian’s storming campaign between the sticks. Tom Heaton has penned another year to remain third-choice, yet there’s uncertainty around Altay Bayindir and Andre Onana. According to The Sun, United have told Onana he’s for sale after returning from a loan spell at Trabzonspor, which opens the door to a left-field move for free agent Gunn.

At 6ft 5, the Scotland international has been his country’s first pick at the World Cup and brings presence, calm and a clean handling style. Karl Darlow is another name on the list, though he’s busy talking over fresh terms at Leeds with his deal running down. If it’s experience and value United want, Gunn ticks both boxes without pinching the wage bill too hard.

Midfield pursuit stalls as Spurs circle Fernandes

While the goalkeeping plan looks pragmatic, midfield is a knottier saga. United have been grafting away on a deal with West Ham for Mateus Fernandes, but two speed bumps loom large: an £85m price tag and Tottenham’s growing push to land the 21-year-old (with Spurs also sniffing around Newcastle’s Sandro Tonali). United rate the player, just not at that number, whereas Spurs could yet meet West Ham’s valuation—if they win the full buy-in from the lad and his camp.

Striker conundrum under INEOS

The Sun also says the club consider a new centre-forward essential to keep Benjamin Sesko on his toes. Luckhurst, for his part, isn’t convinced Joshua Zirkzee is the answer—two Premier League goals in 18 months won’t silence Old Trafford. A return to Serie A has been floated since his switch from Bologna, but this one’s delicate: Zirkzee is popular in the dressing room and was the first official signing of the INEOS era, so he’s hardly top of the clear-out list.

And here’s the catch: if Zirkzee stays, the brakes may go on another striker for Michael Carrick, at least for now. It’s a numbers game as much as a talent hunt.

For those tracking transfer odds and market movers, the best place to start is with the best betting sites. Make no mistake: this window will be defined by sharp, opportunistic deals rather than lavish splurges. A free-agent No 2 keeper, a value-smart midfield addition, and a striker who raises the level—hit two of those three and United look a far better-balanced outfit by August.

Pundit’s verdict

Gunn as a back-up is sensible business: big frame, low risk, and available right now. If Onana departs and Lammens keeps the gloves, there’s logic to shoring up the depth chart without draining funds earmarked for midfield and attack. The Fernandes saga will turn on price discipline; if Spurs go all-in, United must be ready to pivot. Up top, adding genuine competition for Sesko is vital—but not if it boxes the club into an expensive passenger. Tightrope stuff, but get the balance right and this could be a quietly excellent window.

Plenty of moving parts, then, yet a coherent thread runs through it: smarter, leaner, calmer recruitment. If the Gunn deal drops and the striker picture clears, we’ll know soon enough whether United’s new-era transfer nous is more than just talk.