Incoming Manchester United signing faces familiar problem

Man United are on the verge of officially announcing the arrival of Karl Darlow following his departure from Leeds at the end of last season

Manchester United supporters have been forced to be patient this summer. Transfers have taken longer to be confirmed as the Reds wait for the World Cup to conclude. That does not mean to say United have not been busy behind the scenes trying to get deals over the line.

However, after being priced out of the Elliot Anderson and Mateus Fernandes deals, there has been little room for optimism so far. But United fans have been given hope, with three transfers on the verge of completion.

Andrey Santos from Chelsea is all but done, while the club have claimed a move for Ederson is still on. Conflicting reports suggested the deal had fallen through but United remain adamant the Atalanta midfielder will join. The third new face is set to be former Leeds goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

After impressing early in his career at Nottingham Forest, Newcastle snapped Darlow up in 2014. He would spend nine years at St James' Park before joining Leeds on a permanent deal. Darlow's initial role at Elland Road was to provide support for Illan Meslier but poor performances from the Frenchman saw Darlow drafted in for the final seven games of the 2024/25 season.

Darlow would shore up the defence as Leeds secured the Championship trophy. But he was again relegated to back-up when Lucas Perri signed ahead of their Premier League return.

The 35-year-old was back in goal soon after the start of the season as Perri picked up an injury. Once Perri recovered, Darlow was back on the bench until Daniel Farke lost patience with the Brazilian following a 4-3 defeat to Newcastle.

Darlow started the next game at Fulham and did not look back. From mid-January until the end of the season, Darlow was Leeds' first choice and it was clear the shot-stopper enjoyed his new responsibilities.

"I have always wanted to play wherever I have been," Darlow said in an interview before a victory over Forest. "I have just kept myself going and have been true to myself throughout the whole time I have been here.

"Thankfully, I am back in the team and enjoying it. I really love playing football, so it is something that I am excited about, being back in the team and helping the team out in any which way I can.

"I have always worked hard to get opportunities and then to make sure when I am on the pitch I perform. You do not get many chances as a goalkeeper, but I know that what I do on the training ground day-in, day-out, holds me in good stead for when I play."

Farke attempted to reward those efforts this summer with a new contract, but Darlow chose not to renew. Leeds' loss looks to be United's gain but the 35-year-old will be under no illusions of his position in the pecking order.

Senne Lammens rightfully earned the No.1 spot last season and will keep that place next campaign. Darlow will be unfazed by that, having already unseated Meslier and Perri, but there's no denying Lammens is in another league when compared to Meslier and Perri.

It can only be good news for United to have a goalkeeper like Darlow pushing Lammens all the way. Altay Bayindir did not provide that competition last season, so raising standards should raise everyone's game.

The Reds will hope having a competitive second-choice goalkeeper will take Lammens to the next level.

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