Man Utd hold talks with £15m ex-City star to finally correct £47.9m Ten Hag blunder

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·22 marzo 2025

Man Utd hold talks with £15m ex-City star to finally correct £47.9m Ten Hag blunder

INEOS are now having to right some of the wrongs made by Manchester United’s key decision-makers prior to their arrival.

One was Andre Onana, who failed to hit the ground running when succeeding David de Gea between the sticks at Old Trafford.

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While the goalkeeper has come in clutch on numerous occasions for the club with some acrobatic and crucial saves, his catalogue of costly howlers is growing to the point of being unacceptable.

This season, the Cameroonian has conceded 40 goals in 29 Premier League appearances, keeping only eight clean sheets in that time. However, the absence of Altay Bayindir through injury means Ruben Amorim has no choice but to stick with Onana – or else call upon an inexperienced youth prospect from the academy.

Why United have set their sights on James Trafford over other goalkeepers

Trafford is quickly becoming one of the most renowned shot-stoppers in England. (Photo by Molly Darlington/Getty Images)

Onana was chosen by Erik ten Hag back in 2023 due to the pair working together at Ajax. Now that the Dutchman is gone, Amorim is paying the price for several of his acquisitions being simply unsuitable for his setup.

That’s why the board are now on the lookout for a new shot-stopper to occupy the role – and they may have to turn to a product of Manchester City’s youth ranks.

Indeed, according to TBR Football, the Red Devils are said to have held talks over a potential swoop for Burnley’s James Trafford, who departed the Etihad for Turf Moor in a £15 million transfer in July 2023.

A torrid season upon the Clarets’ return to the top flight culminated with them eventually dropping back down to the Championship, with gaffer Vincent Kompany then cherry-picked by Bayern Munich chiefs to fulfil their managerial vacancy.

Trafford, 22, has enjoyed a consierably more enjoyable campaign in 2024/2025 – so much so that he’s been making headlines with his scintillating efforts to aid his side’s promotion quest. In 37 league matches, the youngster has kept a remarkable 26 clean sheets, conceding only 11 goals in the process.