Manchester United set to face surprise competition from PL club to sign Andre Onana backup- Reports 

Manchester United are reportedly interested in signing Sunderland goalkeeper Anthony Patterson in the January transfer window. However, they might face competition from Wolverhampton Wanderers for his signature.

Wolves recently sacked Gary O'Neil and have appointed Vitor Pereira as their new manager. This change has also seen Sam Johnstone drop to the bench with Jose Sa becoming the first-choice goalkeeper again. However, as per journalist Alan Nixon (via Football League World), the club aren't satisfied with either of their performances.

Hence, they are looking to sign Patterson, who has been excellent for Sunderland this season. He's kept seven clean sheets in 19 games for the Black Cats, who sit fourth in the EFL Championship table. Manchester United are also interested in signing him as they look for a backup for Andre Onana.

The Red Devils currently have Altay Bayindir as their second-choice goalkeeper but he's struggled to make an impact. He made a couple of errors in their recent EFL Cup quarter-final defeat against Tottenham Hotspur (4-3). Spurs themselves have been linked with a move for Patterson after Guglielmo Vicario fractured his ankle.

Sunderland, however, are keen to keep their No. 1 at the club this season at least. They are in the mix for promotion as they sit four in the Championship, four points behind leaders Leeds United.

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Former Manchester United goalkeeper believes Andre Onana isn't fit for Premier League after Wolves error

Massimo Taibi believes Andre Onana isn't fit for Premier League football and should not have left Inter Milan. It comes after the Cameroonian's error in Manchester United's 1-0 defeat against Wolves on Boxing Day. Onana conceded an Olimpico (a direct goal from a corner) against Matheus Cunha at Old Trafford.

Massimo Taibi said about Onana (via The Sun):

“I’d be straight to the point and tell him, ‘Andre, you are one of the best keepers in Europe but in the Premier League, you are under- performing. Block out criticism, do some soul-searching, press the reset and go again. And if things don’t change by June, move on’.

“I think subconsciously the United environment isn’t ideal for him and when a marriage is showing cracks, it’s pointless to continue. Sometimes things don’t work out at a team and it’s best to go separate ways, which would not be a failure.

"For me he’s a strong goalkeeper who finds himself in a situation where he can’t show his skills because he is not cut out for the English game. He’s only suited to the Prem when it comes to his ball-playing ability and structure.”

Manchester United signed Onana from Inter Milan in the summer of 2023 for a reported fee of €51 million. He's kept 20 clean sheets in 76 games for them but also made numerous costly errors.