Official: Manchester United sign Lee Grant

Manchester United have officially confirmed their third signing of the summer as they announced the arrival of Stoke City’s veteran goalkeeper Lee Grant. Grant is United’s third signing of the summer after they completed the transfers of Diogo Dalot and Fred earlier this summer.

Grant, 35, is expected to fill the third goalkeeper’s slot in the squad. He would most probably be a backup to Sergio Romero who is the second-choice custodian behind David de Gea.

Last season, Joel Pereira occupied the third goalkeeper’s position. However, the Portuguese lad is reportedly keen on a loan move to garner some valuable playing time. Accordingly, Sam Johnstone, who spent last season at Aston Villa on loan, has been permanently sold to West Bromwich Albion.

With two young goalkeepers leaving the club (one on loan and one on a permanent basis), it was necessary to add some numbers in the goalkeeping department. The signing of Lee is quite a left-field choice, considering that he is 35-years-old and will barely feature in any of the matches.

However, he brings with him a lot of experience into the dressing room, something that might help the youngsters in training and behind the scenes. He was immense against United in Stoke’s visit to Old Trafford in January 2017. Wayne Rooney became United’s leading goal-scorer with a stunning free kick in the stoppage time in the same match.

Grant had a splendid game that time, in which he frustrated United’s forwards by constantly denying him throughout the course of the game. Jose Mourinho had some good words to say about him at the end of the match.

Mourinho remarked, “We missed unbelievable chances. We hit the post, the keeper saves, we missed chances. The opposition goalkeepers are always amazing against us.'

Maybe, this particular performance had some notable impact in Lee’s move to United. The transfer fee is yet undisclosed.