Manchester United Consider Signing Young Emirati Goal Keeper

Manchester United are currently exploring the potential signing of 20‑year‑old Emirati goalkeeper Abdulla Al‑Hammadi, who is undergoing a trial at the club’s Carrington training ground in hopes of joining their development squad.

Al‑Hammadi, formerly captain of the UAE Under‑18s, has already featured as a bench substitute for Manchester United’s Under‑21s in a 1‑1 draw against Rochdale. This exposure signals the club’s serious interest in evaluating his potential long‑term role.

Before this trial, Al‑Hammadi had a stint with Everton’s U21 side, where he notably kept a clean sheet, an experience that further underscores his growing reputation and ambition to break into European youth systems.

United’s youth goalkeeper department is already seeing fresh activity: promising talent Radek Vitek signed a new contract and went on loan to Championship side Bristol City, while another youngster, Elyh Harrison, embarked on a season‑long loan at Shrewsbury Town in League Two. This dynamic environment indicates a strategic effort by United to cultivate a strong pipeline of goalkeeping talent.

Should Al‑Hammadi secure a contract, he is expected to compete for Under‑21 starting spots alongside Dermot Mee and William Murdock—two other up‑and‑coming keepers in the academy setup.

At the senior level, alarm bells have sounded regarding the futures of first‑team goalkeepers Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir, with both making high‑profile errors in recent seasons. This has only intensified United’s focus on reinforcing the position across all levels.

Al‑Hammadi’s trial at Manchester United marks a potentially significant milestone not only for his career, but also for the club’s ongoing renewal of its goalkeeping ranks. If signed, he could become a key part of a broader youth‑development strategy aimed at building for the future.