Man United is reportedly close to signing a contract with a 16-year-old Derby County goalkeeper, Charlie Hardy. They've decided on this move, while having signed a goalkeeper just this summer, and without having any issues with Senne Lammens.
Tom Heaton is nearing the end of his contract, and Andre Onana is on a loan to Trabzonspor, and it seems the Red Devils are looking to shake things up. The deal would provide them with at least two goalkeepers to choose from in the near future.
Charlie Hardy Signing
Hardy, who's now 16, made his debut at the Derby under-18 level at just 15 and has represented England at the under-16 level. He was also on the bench against United when he was 14, but didn't get to show his skills.
He will sign a scholarship term at United after the League has ratified it. A scholarship is the step before turning professional—it's the standard two-year deal for young players. The young star has acknowledged the deal on his Instagram account, saying:
"After almost a decade at Derby County, the time has now come for a new chapter. It's been an incredible nine years here. I want to thank everyone at the club who has supported me throughout my journey and helped me become the player and person I am today. I'm grateful for all the memories I've made throughout my time at the club and the lads I've played alongside. I wish everyone at the club the best for the future."
Hardy will likely start playing for United's U18 team, which former United player Darren Fletcher coaches.
Senne Lammens Signing
Senne Lammens is a 28-year-old Belgian goalkeeper who signed for Man United, coming from Royal Antwerp. The deal was officially completed on September 1st this year. The contract is for a period of five years, and it set Man United back €21 million.
However, there were some challenges from the get-go. First of all, Lammens is competing for the top spot against other potential goalkeepers. According to this Bc Game Casino Review, players can wager on any verifiable outcome, including who will be the new goalkeeper for Man United.
Lammens has also had only one full season with Royal Antwerp. The jump to the Premier League can be somewhat challenging for a player with so little experience, and many have expected that Lammens will take a while to reach his full potential.
Onana and Tom Heaton
Onana joined Manchester United from Inter Milan in 2023 and is currently on loan to Trabzonspor. During that time, he has made a few major mistakes, and some of those have cost the team significantly. However, during his first season in Trabzonspor, he managed some great saves. He was even named Man of the Match after making eight saves.
This shows he can have a great performance and is very valuable to the team he's on. However, there's very little chance Onana will be returning to Man United soon.
Tom Heaton has been back at Man United since 2021. He's now the most experienced player on the team, at 39 years of age. Heaton signed a one-year contract in 2025, so he's available, but has very limited play time, as a third goalkeeper. Rumor is that Heaton will retire soon, most likely at the end of this season.
Other Potential Transfers
United has explored other alternatives, according to reports. One of the options was Mike Maignan from AC Milan. His contract expires in 2026, and several top teams are interested in signing him. At this point, there is no news about Maignan renewing the contract with AC Milan.
Another option was Emiliano Martinez from Aston Villa. He has expressed an interest in joining Manchester United. Villa also needs to sell some players, but at this point, the deal hasn't progressed beyond that. The price tag for Martinez may be a bit too steep, given all the other issues Man United is having with their goalkeepers. It appears that Villa will ask for approximately £40 million.
To Sum Up
Manchester United has signed another goalkeeper this year, making it the second one in just a couple of months. This time, it was Charlie Hardy, a 16-year-old who will be playing for the U18 team. Manchester United is looking for a new goalkeeper as their roster for the position is becoming somewhat thin.
One of the team's goalkeepers is on loan, and another is about to retire. As a result, Man United has been shopping around for goalkeepers to renew the roster. There are a few other options available, but at this point, Hardy is the last goalkeeper to sign up.
