‘I’m a Man United fan’ – Arsenal target admits he loves the Red Devils after rejecting Gunners | OneFootball

Wigan Athletic goalkeeper Sam Tickle has revealed that he is a Manchester United fan amid reports linking him with Arsenal and the Red Devils.

The ‘outstanding’ 22-year-old is also on the radar of the likes of Birmingham City, Sunderland, Preston North End and Everton following an impressive season last term, but he is not in a rush over his future having established himself in the League One club.

Arsenal wanted Tickle last summer but he rejected the opportunity to join them as he was not keen on being third-choice, but the England youth international could soon be moving to the Premier League with Man United keeping tabs on him.

“It’s nice to see your name linked but it doesn’t impact me,” the goalie told the Daily Mail.

“As long as I get to play football, I’m happy. I’m living the dream and all I wanted to do was to come through at Wigan and play for Wigan.

“I’m a Man United fan but I’ve been at the club so long that I’m a Wigan fan now.”

The Old Trafford club have been linked with several goalies as second-choice Altay Bayindir could be on his way out after struggling for regular playing chances, and Tickle could be the perfect man for the job.

He was named Wigan Athletic Player of the Year and Wigan Athletic Players’ Player of the Year last season after keeping 18 clean sheets in 52 appearances, making his England under-21 debut in March 2024 after initially receiving his initial call-up to Lee Carsley’s squad in September 2023.

Tickle signed a new four-year deal last May that runs until 2028, and he is unlikely to remain in League One for much longer as Wigan staff have hailed his shot-stopping as Premier League standard.

It remains to be seen whether Man United plan to make any concrete effort to go after the youngster, but he will not be short of top suitors going forward and could be in the conversations about the best goalie in the Premier League soon.

Article written by Alani .