In brief
Manchester United has had several awful goalkeepers over the years, despite their many greats.
After arriving, players like Andre Onana and Jim Leighton were unable to duplicate their stellar play at prior organisations.
United searched for a potential replacement for Peter Schmeichel for years without success.
There is a lot of pressure on goalkeepers at Manchester United. Even the most collected players can be broken by the combination of the tough duty of protecting the net and the pressure of representing one of the most recognisable football clubs.
Some outstanding goalkeepers have helped United win games and win titles on their own during their years of supremacy. But the same is true for those who have failed under the tremendous strain of being legends’ descendants. In particular, these ten goalkeepers will rue their time at Old Trafford.
Ranking Elements
Statistics and appearances at the club
Anticipations
Performance quality
Fees for transfers
The accomplishments they made at the club and after they left
10Victor Valdes
2015-2016
One of the greatest and possibly most underappreciated goalkeepers of his generation in terms of his career, Victor Valdes played a key role in Pep Guardiola’s Barcelona team’s triumph. But he didn’t have the best time in England.
Following his transfer to Manchester United, where he received assistance in recovering from a severe anterior cruciate ligament injury that ended his time at the Catalan club, the player made just two league games after a career marked by success at Camp Nou. His brilliant career came to an unsatisfactory conclusion as his relationship with manager Louis van Gaal worsened. He was released by United in 2016, and his final season of play ended in relegation with Middlesbrough, a far cry from the glory of his youth.
The Man United Career of Victor Valdes
Games
2.
Minutes
106
Objectives Given Up
One
Clean Sheets
One
Trophies
0
9Andre Onana
2023-Present
Andre Onana made another costly error at Manchester United just when it appeared that he was making progress, raising questions about whether the team should have ever let David de Gea go. After a terrible first season, the Cameroonian was producing incredible saves and displaying the kind of play that won him accolades at Inter Milan in his second season.
But fans are doubting his ability after a howler against Brighton, a goal given up straight from a corner against Wolves, and mistakes against Nottingham Forest. Onana, who was once praised as Erik ten Hag’s most significant acquisition, has now become a source of annoyance for all the wrong reasons.
Man United’s career with Andre Onana
Games
84
Minutes
7,620
Objectives Given Up
128
Clean Sheets
21
Trophies
One
8Paddy Roche
1973-1982
Happy birthday to Paddy Roche who is 74 today
Manchester United (1973-1982)
🎂🎉🥳🪩🍾#MUFC #PaddyRoche pic.twitter.com/nHAqQxiILw— MANCHESTER UNITED FANS (@Unitedfans2023) January 4, 2025
Paddy Roche made slightly under 50 appearances as Manchester United’s backup custodian during a difficult time in the 1970s and 1980s. During this period, United was demoted to the second level, but their difficulties were not due to Roche’s performances. Under Sir Matt Busby, the team was unable to return to its previous level of prominence.
According to reports, Roche left on less than cordial terms in 1982. He has criticised the club’s treatment of several of its former players over the years, especially in light of recent reductions in ambassadorial positions.
The Man Utd Career of Paddy Roche
Games
48
Minutes
4,320
Objectives Given Up
81
Clean Sheets
11.
Trophies
0
7Ricardo
2002-2005
If you blink, you’ll miss him. Despite having two caps for Spain during his career, Ricardo never made much of an impact at Old Trafford. He was only used as a backup option during his tenure at the club, making just one Premier League game as Fabien Barthez’s replacement due to injury.
To the pleasure of the United supporters, the Spaniard at least made it memorable for both good and bad reasons by giving away a penalty that he later saved. Something to eventually show the grandchildren.
The Man Utd Career of Ricardo
Games
5.
Minutes
335
Objectives Given Up
6.
Clean Sheets
2.
Trophies
One
6Mark Bosnich
1999-2001
At the close of the 1980s, Manchester United signed Australian custodian Mark Bosnich, but they let him go when Peter Schmeichel was hired. After seven years at Aston Villa, where he established himself as a dependable custodian, Bosnich rejoined United in 1999 to take Schmeichel’s spot.
When Fabien Barthez was added, he dropped to third place, despite winning the Premier League title as the team’s first-choice custodian in the 1999–00 season. Sir Alex Ferguson later called Bosnich “a terrible professional,” a description Paul Scholes would later repeat years later. Bosnich did not play when United won the title the following year.
Mark Bosnich’s Career at Manchester United
Games
38
Minutes
3,224
Objectives Given Up
38
Clean Sheets
15.
Trophies
One
5Kevin Pilkington
1992-1998
Pilkington was a devoted member of Manchester United’s youth team, playing alongside future stars like Paul Scholes and David Beckham on the pitch during the 1992 FA Youth Cup victory. He made just six league appearances for United between 1992 and 1998, playing as Peter Schmeichel’s backup goalie.
Pilkington had a successful career in the lower levels after leaving Old Trafford, playing in more over 300 games during his senior career. Despite having a brief tenure at United, he established a solid career further down the pyramid that has aided him in his present position as goalkeeping coach at Luton Town.
Kevin Pilkington’s Career at Manchester United
Games
8.
Minutes
668
Objectives Given Up
13.
Clean Sheets
2.
Trophies
One
4Roy Carroll
2001-2005
Statistically speaking, Roy Carroll put up some fairly impressive stats at Manchester United. With a clean sheet record of just over 52%, the Northern Irishman put up stats that Andre Onana could only dream of. Admittedly, though, he profited from having superior defenders in front of them, and Carroll lacked the confidence to be a true number one at United.
The Northern Ireland international will forever be known for his costly blunder against Tottenham, where he misjudged Pedro Mendes’ cross, allowing the ball to slip over the line. His blushes were spared by the goal strangely not being awarded, but it and his involvement in the worst side in Premier League history will always define his tenure in the English top division.
The Man Utd Career of Roy Carroll
Games
72
Minutes
6,264
Objectives Given Up
46
Clean Sheets
38
Trophies
3.
3Paul Rachubka
1999-2003
As a teenager, Rachubka made his only league appearance for Manchester United, replacing an injured Fabien Barthez in the match against Leicester. In his surprising debut, the young goalie kept a clean sheet and went on to play twice more for the Red Devils.
Rachubka continued his career in the Football League after leaving United, playing regularly for teams like Charlton in the lower divisions. Nevertheless, his time at Leeds United gained notoriety in 2011 after a terrible showing against Blackpool, in which he was replaced at halftime after committing three errors that resulted in goals and one of his teammates was sent off. It’s surprising that he didn’t turn into a cult hero at Old Trafford given the rivalry between the two clubs.
Paul Rachubka’s Career at Manchester United
Games
3.
Minutes
102
Objectives Given Up
0
Clean Sheets
3.
Trophies
One
2Jim Leighton
1988-1992
As a teenager, Rachubka made his only league appearance for Manchester United, replacing an injured Fabien Barthez in the match against Leicester. In his surprising debut, the young goalie kept a clean sheet and went on to play twice more for the Red Devils.
Rachubka continued his career in the Football League after leaving United, playing regularly for teams like Charlton in the lower divisions. Nevertheless, his time at Leeds United gained notoriety in 2011 after a terrible showing against Blackpool, in which he was replaced at halftime after committing three errors that resulted in goals and one of his teammates was sent off. It’s surprising that he didn’t turn into a cult hero at Old Trafford given the rivalry between the two clubs.
Paul Rachubka’s Career at Manchester United
Games
3.
Minutes
102
Objectives Given Up
0
Clean Sheets
3.
Trophies
1.
1Massimo Taibi
1999-2000
Schmeichel, but in the end, he turned out to be the least successful. His catastrophic error against Southampton, which solidified his reputation as an unreliable goalie, was his most memorable moment while playing for Manchester United. Taibi only appeared in four league games for United, and neither his teammates nor the supporters were impressed.
The team made the decision to cut their losses and let him leave following a lacklustre stint at Old Trafford. His short and turbulent time at Manchester United came to an end a few months later when he joined Reggina in Italy. His tenure with the team continues to serve as a warning about the club’s bad goalkeeping choices, which have been repeated over time.
The Man Utd Career of Massimo Taibi
Games
4.
Minutes
360 degrees
Objectives Given Up
11.
Clean Sheets
0
Trophies
2.
