Man United transfer motives questioned as links to "inconsistent" Preston North End player emerge | OneFootball

FLW's Preston North End fan pundit has given his verdict on Man United's Freddie Woodman interest

This article is part of Football League World's 'Terrace Talk' series, which provides personal opinions from our FLW Fan Pundits regarding the latest breaking news, teams, players, managers, potential signings and more…

Manchester United have been linked with a move for Preston North End goalkeeper Freddie Woodman this summer.

According to Alan Nixon, the Red Devils are eyeing a move for the 28-year-old to bolster their options between the sticks.

The goalkeeper has featured 37 times for the Lilywhites this season, although he is currently out of action with an injury and won’t play again in the remaining six fixtures.

Woodman is in his third season with Preston, and has been a key figure in the side under both Ryan Lowe and Paul Heckingbottom, but is out of contract at the end of the campaign.

Freddie Woodman transfer verdict

When asked about Woodman’s potential move to Old Trafford, FLW’s Preston fan pundit Darren Watson claimed the goalkeeper is unlikely to play for the club again.

However, he is unsure why Man United are interested, or why the shot-stopper would want to go to the Premier League club, given he’s unlikely to get any game time ahead of Andre Onana or Altay Bayindir.

“So obviously I’ve seen this rumour that Freddie Woodman is wanted by Man United,” Watson told Football League World.

“I know that he’s injured currently at the moment now, he’s got a muscular injury that’s going to see him out until the end of the season.

“So, we won’t be seeing him in a Preston North End shirt again.

“I think, personally, that Freddie Woodman checked out a long time ago.

“It’s a funny one because he doesn’t really get any praise as of recently for his performances in the games that he has played this season.

“He’s been a bit inconsistent, and to be linked with a big team like Manchester United, which is still obviously one of the biggest teams in England and have been for many years, it’s a bit surprising.

“A keeper obviously struggling at Preston, if he does go to United is he going to get any game time? Is he going to be the third choice, or even second choice United keeper? Because he doesn’t start over Onana, and he probably doesn’t start over their second choice as well.

“So, I don’t really understand what he’s going for.

“If he’s going for money and the chance of obviously maybe winning the odd FA Cup or League Cup, then fair enough, being a part of that squad rotation, then yeah.

“I don’t see any reason why he would want to go to Manchester United, or why Manchester United actually want a keeper like Freddie Woodman and his performances this season.”

Preston are currently 14th in the Championship table ahead of Tuesday night’s clash at home to Cardiff City.

Woodman makes sense as tertiary homegrown option for Man United

Woodman’s move to Man United would mean accepting a very limited amount of game time at Old Trafford.

The 28-year-old is in the best years of his career, so might prefer playing on a regular basis and thus should avoid this step up.

But if he’s happy to be a third choice at a bigger club, then it’s a deal that makes sense for all parties as it gives the player a chance to work at a Premier League level and gives Man United a homegrown slot to a position of little importance.