Andre Onana injury latest as academy keeper ready to place him in Man Utd side

Andre Onana had an eye problem which has cleared up for him to play against Leicester.

Youngster Dermot Mee was in line for a shock debut against Leicester City in the Premier League tonight, pending the outcome of a late fitness test for first-choice goalkeeper Onana.

The Red Devils are already grappling with a goalkeeping crisis, as second-choice keeper Altay Bayindir and third-choice Tom Heaton are sidelined with injuries. Last month, manager Ruben Amorim provided an update on the duo, stating, "Tom is making a recovery. Again, I don't have a day, but they [Heaton and Bayindir] are recovering."

Onana, who has been a consistent presence in goal since joining United from Inter Milan in 2023,was a doubt for the match at the King Power Stadium after falling ill. Should Onana have failed his fitness test ahead of the 7pm kick-off, United prepared for the possibility of turning to academy goalkeepers, with 22-year-old Dermot Mee the frontrunner to step up.

Fellow academy prospect Elyh Harrison was also in contention, but Mee is reportedly the preferred option due to his experience and seniority.

Mee, a Northern Ireland youth international, joined Manchester United in 2019 and has regularly trained with the first team, though he has yet to make a senior appearance.

His closest brush with senior action came during loan spells, including a stint at National League side Altrincham in the 2022/23 season, where he made four appearances, and earlier work experience loans at clubs like AFC Wimbledon, Fulham’s academy, Trafford FC, Runcorn Linnets, and Witton Albion.

Mee signed a new contract with United in August 2023 and has been a frequent presence on the bench this season, including in recent Premier League matches against Everton and Arsenal, as well as both legs of the Europa League tie against Real Sociedad.

A potential debut would mark a significant milestone for Mee, who has represented Northern Ireland at various youth international levels, including the Under-21s. Standing at 1.83m (6ft), Mee is known for his commanding presence in goal, with strengths in shot-stopping, reflexes, and distribution, though his lack of senior experience means a start against Leicester would be a true test of his abilities.

Amorim speaking ahead of the match, the United head coach emphasized the importance of maintaining momentum, saying, “Everything is important, and we need to continue with this feeling that we can win games and games after games. It doesn’t matter the time of rest or the time to prepare the next game. We can do it, and we showed against Arsenal.

"We have to be humble and forget that, forget the table, and face Leicester like we faced Real Sociedad. We just need to win to improve our position in the table.”