Manchester United to sign former Newcastle goalkeeper Karl Darlow - Fabrizio Romano

Manchester United are closing in on the signing of ex-Newcastle United goalkeeper Karl Darlow.

Karl Darlow left Newcastle United to join Leeds United in 2023 after nine years at St James' Park.

The former Nottingham Forest man flirted with being Newcastle's No.1 several times and made 100 appearances for the club, keeping 25 clean sheets, 13 of which came in the 2016/17 season in the Championship when Darlow was first-choice.

Now that his contract has expired with Leeds United, Darlow is a free agent, but possibly not for long.

Karl Darlow is heading to Old Trafford

According to Fabrizio Romano on X, Manchester United are set to seal the deal for the 35-year-old to act as backup with Altay Bayindir expected to leave.

"Manchester United agree deal to sign Karl Darlow as new backup goalkeeper, here we go!

"Deal done and signature to follow on Friday. Bayindir expected to leave."

Man United love a Newcastle backup keeper

It seems a strange one when you look at it. Karl Darlow was first-choice at Leeds United last season, so why didn't he sign a new deal with them rather than leave to go and sit on the bench at Old Trafford?

Darlow isn't the first goalkeeper that Newcastle have had to make a strange call to move to the red side of Manchester after Martin Dubravka chose to go there on loan after Newcastle signed Nick Pope. Dubravka decided he didn't want to be the second choice at Newcastle, so he went to Manchester United to be ... third choice.

We can't imagine Darlow is going to get many minutes at his new club. Maybe the odd outing in cup competitions against lower league opposition just to keep him reasonably sharp.

Whatever makes you happy, though, Karlos. Good luck.