Manchester United have placed Karl Darlow on their goalkeeper shortlist as the club’s summer reshuffle around Andre Onana gathers pace.
SunSport reports that United are one of the Premier League clubs monitoring the 35-year-old Wales international after his Leeds United contract expired. Everton are also credited with interest, while Leeds remain keen to keep him at Elland Road.
The timing is significant. Manchester United confirmed on Friday that Onana has rejoined Trabzonspor on loan for the 2026/27 season, subject to international clearance and registration.
That reduces United’s senior goalkeeper group and keeps attention on Altay Bayindir’s future. SunSport adds that United are considering Darlow as a possible option if Besiktas move for Bayindir.
United Eye Low-Cost Cover After Onana Loan
Darlow would not arrive as a headline signing, but that is the point. United’s goalkeeper plan now looks built around cost control, reliable cover and preserving budget for higher-priority outfield work.
SunSport says the former Leeds and Newcastle goalkeeper started 22 Premier League games last season, keeping five clean sheets as Leeds finished 14th. That recent top-flight run gives him a clearer appeal than a purely emergency option.
ReadManUtd has already covered how Onana’s Trabzonspor loan created another decision point in United’s goalkeeper department. Darlow would sit in a different bracket to Dermot Mee and Kit Margetson: experienced, available and low-risk if Bayindir moves on.
United have already secured Mee on a new two-year contract, while teenage goalkeeper Margetson is expected to join as a free agent. Darlow would offer Michael Carrick a senior fallback without forcing the club into an expensive goalkeeper move.
For United, the logic is simple. If Onana is gone for the season and Bayindir attracts serious interest, Carrick needs another trusted body. Darlow’s free-agent status makes him a practical name to keep in the frame.
