Manchester United are closely monitoring Aaron Ramsdale as they weigh up a summer move that could see the England international replace Andre Onana as the club’s new No. 1. Ramsdale is expected to leave Southampton following their relegation, and United believe his attributes may offer a more reliable long-term solution in goal.
The 26-year-old has endured a tough season with Southampton, having joined from Arsenal last summer in an £18 million deal. Despite the Saints conceding 77 goals this campaign, Ramsdale’s individual performances have not gone unnoticed, with United scouts said to have watched him regularly in recent weeks. The club sees his Premier League experience, vocal presence, and shot-stopping instincts as a possible upgrade on their current options.
Onana arrived at Old Trafford with high expectations after impressing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax and reaching the Champions League final with Inter Milan. But his first season in Manchester has been plagued by inconsistency. Costly errors in both domestic and European competitions have piled pressure on the Cameroonian, most recently in United’s 2-2 draw with Lyon, where he was at fault for both goals. He was subsequently dropped for the next fixture against Newcastle, but his replacement Altay Bayindir fared no better, conceding four times in a damaging defeat.
New manager Ruben Amorim is said to be assessing his options in every area of the squad ahead of a major summer rebuild, and the goalkeeping position is high on the list. While Onana has shown flashes of his passing ability and sweeping style, there are growing concerns over his reliability in high-pressure moments. Ramsdale, by contrast, is known for his commanding presence, vocal leadership, and ability to rally a backline—traits United’s defence has sorely lacked.
Ramsdale would offer a more traditional goalkeeping profile, and his style could better complement Amorim’s approach. Unlike Onana, who often operates almost as an additional outfielder, Ramsdale focuses more on fundamentals—solid shot-stopping, clear communication, and positioning. With United conceding far too many preventable goals this season, those qualities could be vital in restoring structure and confidence to the team’s back line.
There’s also the matter of mentality. Ramsdale has long been admired for his resilience and competitive edge. After losing his place at Arsenal to David Raya, he made the difficult choice to leave in search of regular football—a move that reflects his drive to play, not simply collect trophies. “If I was sitting on the bench, it [winning a trophy] wouldn’t have meant that much to me,” he said last year. “I just wanted to play football. As a kid I wanted to play football to play, not to just sit on a bench.”
That attitude may well resonate at United, where several players have been criticised for lacking the hunger to perform week in, week out. Ramsdale’s desire to prove himself again at the highest level could match the urgency of a club in transition. United need more leaders on the pitch—players who demand more from those around them—and Ramsdale has consistently shown that kind of energy, even in difficult environments.
While West Ham are also said to be interested, with Graham Potter reportedly identifying Ramsdale as part of his long-term vision, the opportunity to become the first-choice goalkeeper at Old Trafford could be difficult to resist. For United, the decision may come down to whether they believe Onana’s teething problems are temporary—or whether Ramsdale, with his Premier League pedigree and no-nonsense approach, is the steadier hand they need to guide them forward.