Manchester United are looking to add more depth to the goalkeeping department, and they have identified Sam Johnstone as a target.

The 33-year-old came through the ranks at Manchester United before leaving the club for regular opportunities, and the Athletic reports that the Red Devils want to bring him back. He is unlikely to be a regular starter for them, and he would be a backup option to Senne Lammens.

The Belgian has done quite well since joining Manchester United, but he needs more support. Adding an experienced goalkeeper as a backup option could be a wise decision. Manchester United are expected to sell Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir in the summer, and they will need to replace both players.

The opportunity to return to his boyhood club could be exciting for Johnstone. It remains to be seen whether he is prepared to accept the role of a squad player at Manchester United.

At his age, it will be difficult for him to hold down a starting spot at a Premier League club. It will be interesting to see whether he decides to stay at Wolves and play regularly.

The 33-year-old knows the club well, and he will be available for a nominal investment. The deal could be ideal for Manchester United if they can get it across the line.

Manchester United have secured Champions League qualification for the upcoming campaign, and they need a deeper, higher-quality squad. It is no surprise that they are looking to add more experience to the team. Johnstone has been hailed as “sensational” by Gary Lineker in the past.

They have been linked with multiple players over the last few weeks, and it remains to be seen whether they can sign the right players before the new season begins. They will be hoping to do well in the UEFA Champions League next season and close the gap with Arsenal and Manchester City.

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Manchester United are reportedly considering a surprise move to bring Sam Johnstone back to Old Trafford this summer.

According to journalist Alan Nixon, United are looking at the Wolves goalkeeper as a possible experienced reserve option, with the 33-year-old understood to be open to returning to the North West at this stage of his career.

Johnstone’s link with United is not random. He came through the club’s academy system and knows what the environment is like, even if he never became a regular first-team player.

Since leaving, he has built a solid career with West Brom, Crystal Palace and Wolves, gaining plenty of Premier League and Championship experience along the way.

Man United are set to make changes in goalkeeping department

From United’s point of view, this would not be about signing a glamorous No.1.

It would be about adding a reliable, homegrown, experienced goalkeeper who can support the squad without demanding to start every week.

That could be important because United’s goalkeeper department is expected to change.

Reports say Andre Onana is back after his loan at Trabzonspor, but he is not thought to be part of Michael Carrick’s plans, while Altay Bayindir is also expected to leave.

Wolves would also be open to business. After a poor season that ended with relegation, several senior players could move on, and Johnstone is one of the experienced names likely to attract interest.

He was not their undisputed No.1, so United may believe they can strike a relatively cheap deal.

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Would Johnstone be open to a move to Old Trafford?

The key question is whether Johnstone is good enough for the role United want.

As a backup, yes. He is experienced, professional and knows English football well.

But if United are looking for someone to seriously challenge for the No.1 shirt, they probably need a higher-level option.

This would be a sensible squad move rather than an exciting one. United have bigger issues to solve this summer, especially in midfield and attack, so spending huge money on a reserve goalkeeper would not make sense.

If Onana and Bayindir leave, Johnstone could be a smart, low-maintenance signing.

Michael Carrick’s transfer role explained as Man United change recruitment strategy 

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