Former Newcastle wonderkid linked with surprise move to Man Utd
Manchester United have been linked with a surprising move for a forgotten ex-Newcastle United player that departed the club just three years ago.
A lot certainly changed at St. James’ Park in the summer of 2022. Alexander Isak, Sven Botman, and Nick Pope just one window after Bruno Guimaraes, Dan Burn, and Kieran Trippier joined as we pushed on for a Champions League place in 2022/23.
Several Mags departed that summer as we begin to remould the squad into our new image, one of whom was with the club for almost a decade at the time of his move and who could be set for a shock return to the Premier League.
Man Utd eyeing former Mag
Manchester United are looking to bring former Toon goalkeeper Freddie Woodman to Old Trafford as their new third choice goalkeeper, according to Football Insider's Pete O’Rourke.
Tom Heaton is expected to leave the Red Devils this summer and, with their goalkeeping pair of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir hardly setting the world alight this season, it wouldn’t be a surprise to see Woodman get given minutes if a move is completed.
Woodman, now 28-years-old and one year younger than current Man Utd No. 1 Andre Onana, joined our academy setup from Crystal Palace in 2013 and spent nearly a decade with the club before departing for Preston North End in 2022.
Manchester United are working on a deal to sign Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman on a free transfer to become their No.3 keeper with Tom Heaton expected to leave Old Trafford this summer. #MUFC #pnefc pic.twitter.com/VEmOSdmmvk
— Pete O'Rourke (@SportsPeteO) April 24, 2025
Highly-rated talent - but career hasn't taken off
Woodman represented England at up to U21 level and was part of the national sides that won the 2014 U17 European Championship and the 2017 U20 World Cup, receiving the Golden Glove award for his contributions in the latter.
Once highly-rated and expected to go onto big things or to earn a big move, Woodman’s career never fully took off as expected. He started the 2021-22 season as our number one after injuries to Martin Dubravka and Karl Darlow but failed to impress.
Woodman conceded 12 in four games, including an error-laden showing against Man United, before Darlow returned to action. The fact he would now be third choice at Man Utd to tick a box shows how he's gone from future star with a once promising career to a now forgotten man.
