‘Man United to take major gamble on Aynsley Pears deal with Blackburn Rovers’
Man United will be taking a major risk in sealing a deal for reported target Aynsley Pears in the summer transfer window.
Earlier this season, there were suggestions that manager Ruben Amorim will be working on a budget in the market for the time being.
Since then, there have been claims that INEOS owner Jim Ratcliffe may need years to rectify the financial situation at Man United.
Despite that, the Red Devils have confirmed plans for a new stadium to replace Old Trafford, which could also impact the budget Man United have to invest in their playing squad.
Blackburn Rovers man targeted for Old Trafford switch
Amid those factors that may force the club to sign on the cheap for the foreseeable future, it appears the Red Devils are now looking to the Championship as they look to add in one particular position.
According to a recent report from The Sun, Man United are interested in a deal to sign Blackburn Rovers goalkeeper Pears in the summer transfer window.
The club are apparently keen to sign the 26-year-old as they look to meet the quota for English players within their squad.
It is also said that while they are keen to find competition for Andre Onana as first choice between the posts, Pears would most likely be used as a reserve and in the cup competitions.
Despite Altay Bayindir’s heroics against Arsenal in the FA Cup earlier this season, he appears to have fallen out of favour in that role for Man United.
Even so if Pears was to be the man to take over that position, it would undoubtedly be a big risk for Amorim and co.
| Aynsley Pears for Blackburn in 2024/25 | Total (as per SofaScore) |
| Appearances | 35 |
| Goals Conceded | 35 |
| Saves per Game | 3 |
| Errors Leading to Shot | 5 |
| Errors Leading to Goal | 1 |
Aynsley Pears not convincing enough for Man United
With the club so far back in the pursuit of the Premier League title, the cup competitions have taken on extra significance for the Old Trafford outfit in recent seasons.
Successes in the likes of the Carabao Cup and FA Cup in the previous two campaigns have helped to provide welcome respite in some otherwise disappointing periods for Man United.
It looks as though that may be the case for some time yet, and so questions would have to be asked about how suited Pears would be to that role.
Although he has been first choice between the posts for Blackburn in the past couple of years, he has never looked fully settled in that role.
The goalkeeper has shown a consistent penchant for making costly errors, not least in high pressure games such as a relegation six-pointer against Sheffield Wednesday late last season.
Given what appears to be at stake in those cup matches for Man United now, the pressure is going to be high on those games too, so there are questions about whether Pears could live up to that.
Indeed, the fact the reaction of many Blackburn fans is a combination of shock and willingness for a deal to happen, should also be something of a warning sign for those in charge at Old Trafford.
With that in mind, while Man United may well want a new goalkeeper come the summer to play back-up to Onana, they could well advised to explore other options for this role aside from Pears.