-Manchester United Close in on Club World Cup Standout as Potential Replacement for Injured Andre Onana
Manchester United Close in on Club World Cup Standout as Potential Replacement for Injured Andre Onana
Manchester United appear to be advancing their efforts to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, with Brazilian shot-stopper John Victor now reportedly emerging as the club’s primary target. The move comes in light of a recent injury setback involving current first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana, which has prompted renewed urgency at Old Trafford.
According to reports, Onana has sustained a hamstring injury during pre-season preparations, with medical evaluations indicating that the Cameroonian international could be sidelined for a period ranging from four to six weeks. This timeline puts his participation in doubt for United’s Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17, and effectively rules him out of the remainder of pre-season fixtures.
Despite inconsistent form over the past two campaigns, manager Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff had reportedly planned to persist with Onana as their No.1 option heading into the 2025–26 season. However, this fresh injury concern appears to have shifted the club’s thinking, particularly as INEOS—who now have significant influence over sporting operations—may not want to take any chances with the new season fast approaching.
In response to this situation, Manchester United have intensified their interest in John Victor, who currently plays for Brazilian side Botafogo. According to a report from Goal Brazil, relayed by Centre Devils, the 29-year-old goalkeeper has become a top target for United’s recruitment team.
Botafogo, aware of growing interest from Europe in their goalkeeper, are reportedly preparing for life after John Victor. The club has already begun exploring replacement options, with one of the key candidates believed to be Matheus Mendes—currently on loan at América-MG from Atlético Mineiro.
John Victor’s rise to prominence has been anything but straightforward. He began his senior career at Santos but found regular opportunities hard to come by. Subsequent loan spells at Internacional and Real Valladolid helped him gain valuable experience, but it wasn’t until his transfer to Botafogo in 2023—reportedly for a modest fee of around £1 million—that his career truly began to flourish.
Since joining Botafogo, John has developed into one of the top-performing goalkeepers in the Brazilian top flight. His impressive performances have seen his market value rise significantly, now estimated to exceed €8 million, according to Transfermarkt. So far in the current campaign, he has made 28 appearances, recorded 10 clean sheets, and conceded 25 goals—a testament to his growing reliability and shot-stopping prowess.
Although interest from multiple clubs has reportedly emerged in recent months, Manchester United are understood to have been keeping tabs on John Victor since at least January. With Onana’s fitness now in question and the new season looming, the Red Devils may be ready to accelerate talks in a bid to bring in a capable and experienced replacement.
The coming days could be crucial, as United weigh their options in the transfer market while Botafogo prepares for what could be a significant departure from their squad.
Would you like this adapted for a news article, press release, or social media post as well?for Injured Andre OnanaManchester United appear to be advancing their efforts to bring in a new goalkeeper this summer, with Brazilian shot-stopper John Victor now reportedly emerging as the club’s primary target.
The move comes in light of a recent injury setback involving current first-choice goalkeeper Andre Onana, which has prompted renewed urgency at Old Trafford.
According to reports, Onana has sustained a hamstring injury during pre-season preparations, with medical evaluations indicating that the Cameroonian international could be sidelined for a period ranging from four to six weeks.
This timeline puts his participation in doubt for United’s Premier League opener against Arsenal on August 17, and effectively rules him out of the remainder of pre-season fixtures.
Despite inconsistent form over the past two campaigns, manager Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff had reportedly planned to persist with Onana as their No.1 option heading into the 2025–26 season.
However, this fresh injury concern appears to have shifted the club’s thinking, particularly as INEOS—who now have significant influence over sporting operations—may not want to take any chances with the new season fast approaching.
In response to this situation, Manchester United have intensified their interest in John Victor, who currently plays for Brazilian side Botafogo.
According to a report from Goal Brazil, relayed by Centre Devils, the 29-year-old goalkeeper has become a top target for United’s recruitment team.
Botafogo, aware of growing interest from Europe in their goalkeeper, are reportedly preparing for life after John Victor.
The club has already begun exploring replacement options, with one of the key candidates believed to be Matheus Mendes—currently on loan at América-MG from Atlético Mineiro.
John Victor’s rise to prominence has been anything but straightforward.
He began his senior career at Santos but found regular opportunities hard to come by.
