25 July 2023 , 18:54
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There has been a widespread change in Manchester United’s goalkeeping department this summer – with understudy Nathan Bishop now set to join Sunderland.
The former England Under-20 international joined United in 2020 from Southend and was integrated into the club’s Under-23 squad, as then-boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer earmarked him as one for the future. Bishop has not played a senior competitive game for United since but has been involved in the club’s pre-season tour.
Bishop, 23, spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Mansfield and impressed in League Two. However, he was never likely to break through into the first team at United – and spent the following season in action for youth teams and as part of the senior side’s training drills.
Erik ten Hag has prioritised a revamp of the club’s goalkeepers this summer, with long-serving No.1 David de Gea’s contract not renewed. That brought an end to the Spaniard’s 12-year stint at Old Trafford, and he has subsequently been replaced by Andre Onana - it is the latest indicator of how the Dutchman disagreed with Solskjaer's long-term vision for United.
Yet there are more departures likely from that area. Dean Henderson is set to make his move to Nottingham Forest permanent for a deal in the region of £20million following a successful loan spell, Jack Butland has joined Rangers after his short-term deal at United expired while there is interest from Luton in Tom Heaton.
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Matej Kovar has impressed for United in their pre-season matches to date including in Erik ten Hag's side's two-goal friendly victory over Leeds earlier this month and their 1-0 victory over Lyon last week. He impressed at Sparta Prague last season during a loan spell and has a profile to fit United’s new style of playing out from the back.
Bishop has been involved in pre-season for UnitedHave Your Say! How would you rate Man Utd’s transfer window out of 10 so far? Tell us what you think here.
Sparta sporting director Tomas Rosicky – a former Arsenal midfielder – has declared this month that he would be interested in bringing the goalkeeper back for this season, but the club will move on to other targets if United do not give them a prompt answer on Kovar’s future.
Amid the ongoing uncertainty over the two backups to Onana this campaign, Bishop is set to complete a permanent switch to Sunderland – where he will compete with Anthony Patterson for a starting role. The move, as detailed by the Chronicle, is set to be completed when he returns from United’s pre-season tour in the US.
At the time of making his move to Old Trafford, Bishop told the club’s website of Solskjaer’s advice to him upon joining: “He just said to enjoy it and work as hard as you can and give everything you’ve got and be positive and just have a smile on your face.
"Make sure you’re happy and don’t ever worry about anything that goes wrong, be positive and look forward." Bishop’s time at United may not have materialised in a first-team spot but his career developed and he is now ready to challenge for a spot in England’s second tier.