Man Utd make surprise signing of free agent released by League One club

Manchester United enjoyed one of the stronger transfer windows in the Premier League this summer, boasting a haul of new recruits including Mason Mount and Rasmus Højlund, and spending upwards of £180 million across the board in the process.

Another key signing, and probably the most important, was André Onana, who United brought in to replace David de Gea after his 12-year tenure at Old Trafford came to an end. The Reds also snapped up fellow goalkeeper Altay Bayindir from Fenerbahce on Deadline Day, who replaced Dean Henderson following his transfer to Crystal Palace.

United’s goalkeepers’ union looks very different to the last couple of years as a new era dawns under Erik ten Hag. And to round off their business between the sticks, they’ve also brought in Kie Plumley on a free transfer to pad out their back-up options as they attack the 2023/24 season.

The 20-year-old shot-stopper joins United after being released from Oxford United during the summer. The League One side released a number of players following the expiration of their contracts and Plumley was one of the names on the list. He failed to break his way into the U’s senior team during his time there, but he did gain experience throuhg a number of loan spells, and he has now been handed a huge opportunity to propel his career at the highest level.

Growing up as a Reds fan, this will be a very significant move for Plumley but it will also allow him to train with an elite Premier League side as he embarks on the next chapter in his journey. It’s unlikely he will be challenging Onana for a spot in the senior starting lineup any time soon, but he is young enough to grow and develop at the club and potentially become a solid deputy to ten Hag’s No.1.