Man United target 23-year-old Manuel Neuer successor as competition for Senne Lammens

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TBR Football understands that Freiburg goalkeeper Noah Atubolu has emerged as someone of genuine interest to Manchester United.

23-year-old Atubolu is seen in his homeland as a future Germany number one, and that could even be as early as next summer’s World Cup finals. He has been included in their most recent squad.

Atubolu broke the Bundesliga record for consecutive saved penalties – with the record now standing at five – but his general play has also attracted the attention of numerous clubs.

AC Milan and Inter Milan have both been doing extensive work on Atubolu as they head into 2026 likely needing a new No 1, with Mike Maignan and Yann Sommer, respectively, both out of contract next summer.

Now Atubolu has also emerged on the radar of Manchester United, TBR Football understands, and they have watched him numerous times this season.

Exclusive: Premier League rivals also targeting Noah Atubolu

Our chief correspondent Graeme Bailey can reveal, however, that other Premier League clubs are circling for his signature, meaning United have some stiff competition.

Bailey said: “United are doing their due diligence on goalkeepers, even if [Senne] Lammens comes in and does well, they still want and need another, as [Andre] Onana and [Altay] Bayindir won’t be hanging around in the long-term.

“They are well-versed on options, but I am told that Atubolu is one who has impressed United’s scouts this season. He is emerging as one of the very best in the Bundesliga, and Freiburg are expecting to sell in 2026.

“United are just one of a number of Premier League clubs tracking his progress. I am told Tottenham, Newcastle, Aston Villa and Brighton have all watched and been impressed with him this season.”

United sources have previously confirmed that a new goalkeeper is something they are looking to sign in 2026, despite having brought in Senne Lammens in the summer.

Lammens is being given the chance to prove he can be No 1, but United are planning on selling Andre Onana, who is currently on loan in Turkey, and Altay Bayindir.

They have a long-term interest in Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez and while they remain keen on the Argentine, their recruitment department is doing work on others.

Parma’s Zion Suzuki and Porto’s Diogo Costa are others they admire, and now Atubolu can be added to that list of possible options heading into 2026.

Ruben Amorim coy on United’s first-choice goalkeeper

Ruben Amorim has been non-committal on Lammens’ status as United’s new first-choice stopper, despite his impressive debut performance in the 2-0 win against Sunderland.

“Senne did a great job, gave us confidence,” Amorim said. “It was a good day, not a perfect day, but to win like this, clean sheet, is important for our team.”

However, he insisted that he “needs everyone to be ready to play” before adding: “The important thing is that the teammates helped Lammens to have a very good performance.”

Bayindir had started the first six Premier League games of the season but failed to keep a clean sheet. He was also criticised for a number of shaky displays between the sticks.