Johnstone set for United exit

Manchester United keeper Sam Johnstone is being targeted by six Championship clubs in the January transfer window, according to the Daily Mail.

Louis van Gaal is ready to let the 22-year-old leave Old Trafford with David de Gea and Sergio Romero ahead of the former England under-20 international in the pecking order.

Johnstone was scheduled to leave the club on loan in the summer, but the United manager refused to let him go with de Gea’s future at the club still uncertain.

The 22-year-old even played the most minutes on the Reds’ pre-season tour of the United States, but Romero (who had only been at the club for 10 days) was preferred to him on the first day of the Premier League season against Tottenham and Johnstone has failed to play a single game this season.

Back in September, Johnstone’s agent accused van Gaal of holding back English talent and urged him to move elsewhere to gain first team football. Jordan Segal said:

Sam just wants to play football but Manchester United are holding him back and not even playing him.

He is a young goalkeeper and it is time for him to play regularly. If that is not at Manchester United, then it has to be elsewhere. This is an example of young English talent being held back by Van Gaal.

The start of the season was the perfect opportunity to give Sam his chance to prove he can play for United. He is ready.

If they do not want him to play then he needs to move for the sake of his career. He cannot sit on the bench or in the reserves.

England should have as many goalkeepers as possible to pick from. Given the early progress in his career that is the level he is aiming for. He is not going to get there by not playing.

Preston are favourites to secure Johnstone’s services, with the 22-year-old having helped the Lilywhites secure promotion to the Championship last season. He would replace Jordan Pickford, who is likely to be recalled by Sunderland in January.

Wolves, Bristol City, Reading, Huddersfield and Queen Park Rangers are also reportedly interested in signing Johnstone.