Gus Poyet says Vito Mannone is ‘calm’ about links to Man Utd
Mannone, who moved to Sunderland for £2million last summer, is now first choice with Keiren Westwood set to miss the rest of the season with a shoulder injury.
Reports in Italy on Wednesday suggested David Moyes was considering Mannone as a possible back-up to David De Gea at Old Trafford.
But Sunderland boss Poyet says Mannone is happy at the Stadium of Light, with the Uruguayan in the market for a back-up goalkeeper himself.
David Forde is a possible target, with the 34-year-old out of contract at the end of the season and available for a minimal fee from Millwall.
Sunderland have also been linked with two Argentine keepers playing in Italy – Catania stopper Mariano Andujar and Genoa’s Albano Bizzarri – with Poyet keen to strengthen his options before the end of this month.
The Black Cats boss told the Sunderland Echo: “I think Vito is calm about everything.
“It was a very different situation for me with Vito and Westy (to give Mannone his first Premier League start), probably one of the hardest decisions I made before Manchester City.
“Unfortunately, Westy has had an operation now and is out for another three months. But I’m calm over Vito. There are players that you can talk openly to and Vito is one of those.”
On the search for a new keeper, Poyet added: “It’s a position that we are looking at.
“We’re working on a few positions and I can say openly that we’re looking at goalkeepers, although that doesn’t mean someone will come.
“I don’t want to say I’m going to bring in this, this and this, because then you don’t have the quality. But if there’s a player who I know can come in and help us quickly, then I will do.”
England Under-19 international Jordan Pickford has provided back-up for Mannone in recent games – but is cup-tied for Wednesday’s Capital One Cup semi-final second leg, meaning his fellow academy product Joel Dixon will occupy a spot on the bench.
Written by Steve Milne – have Your say below 🙂
