Man Utd prepare bid for Club World Cup standout from Brazil | OneFootball

Manchester United Target Botafogo’s John Victor as Goalkeeper Reshuffle Looms

Reassessing priorities between the sticks

There is a pattern to every Manchester United rebuild: a flurry of intention, a flurry of confusion and a goalkeeper. Under Erik ten Hag, it was Andre Onana. Under Ruben Amorim, it might be John Victor. According to Meia Hora, United are set to formalise a bid for the 29-year-old Botafogo stopper, whose performances at the Club World Cup turned heads far beyond Rio de Janeiro.

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The report claims that United dispatched a representative to watch Victor at the tournament, where he helped guide Botafogo to a memorable victory over Paris Saint-Germain. Over the competition, he averaged 3.3 saves per game and was praised for his composure, positioning and leadership. These are the traits United seemed to value when they signed Onana last summer, only to see inconsistency unravel that equation.

Now, Amorim appears to want pressure on Onana rather than a direct replacement. Altay Bayindir, United’s current No.2, is expected to move on in search of regular minutes, particularly with international football looming. In that context, Victor’s signing is less about revolution and more about reinforcement. But it’s telling that reinforcement is deemed necessary.

Photo IMAGO

Brazilian pedigree and European aspirations

Victor is not a household name in Europe, but his CV is quietly impressive. After developing at Santos, he joined Botafogo in early 2024 and has been their standout performer since. He also had a brief but valuable stint in Spain with Real Valladolid, providing the kind of cultural fluency United’s staff appreciate in their modern recruitment.

His strengths are classical. He is 6ft 5in, excellent in the air and adept at instinctive, close-range stops. His temperament is another noted strength. “Victor has always had the right mentality for top-level football,” said Pedro Gutierrez, the player’s agent. “His dream has always been to play in the Premier League.”

If a deal progresses as expected, that ambition may soon become reality. United, according to the Brazilian outlet, are preparing to submit an official bid “in the coming days”.

Onana remains, but uncertainty lingers

Onana, for now, remains the first choice. His erratic debut campaign, which saw brilliance punctuated by baffling errors, is a reflection of United’s broader identity crisis. Amorim is expected to give him a clean slate, but not an easy ride. Competition is no longer optional. It is essential.

Photo: IMAGO

John Victor would not arrive as a name to plaster across marketing banners. He would arrive to do a job, to provide calm where there has been chaos, and to ensure that the No.1 jersey is earned, not assumed.

Bayindir’s expected departure, along with the quiet ambition to finally address problem positions before the start of the season, has brought urgency to this deal. There is no glamour in signing a back-up keeper, but at United, nothing about this position has been routine in recent years.

Future-proofing Amorim’s United

Whether John Victor is part of a new foundation or simply a smart squad addition, his signing would signal a shift towards practicality. For too long, United’s recruitment in key positions has been reactive. This could be proactive, a subtle adjustment that pays dividends when the margins matter.

As one source close to the deal noted, “Victor would offer reliability and calm. He’s not coming to make headlines, he’s coming to stop goals.”

And in this new era, that may be exactly what United need most.

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It is not headline-grabbing, it will not trend on social media for days, but it is exactly the type of addition that has been missing in recent years. Goalkeeping depth should not be an afterthought. It should be part of the plan.

John Victor gives off the aura of someone ready to step in, but not demanding the spotlight. He’s got stature, experience, and, crucially, he comes with a hunger to prove himself. That attitude could bring the best out of Onana or, if needed, replace him without drama.

After watching too many erratic displays last season, the idea of having a calm, measured presence waiting in the wings is a welcome one for United fans. And with Bayindir moving on, this is the perfect moment to upgrade that role.

Victor may not have Premier League minutes to his name yet, but the way he handled PSG and performed in the Club World Cup suggests he belongs on this stage. If United get this done, fans will feel like, for once, they’re building sensibly, not desperately.