
Expert: Sunderland 'confident' over Anthony Patterson after Man United interest

12/01/2025 22:00
Sunderland are confident of keeping hold of Anthony Patterson this month despite interest from Man United, according to the club’s former chief scout.
Mick Brown, who served as the chief scout at both Old Trafford and the Stadium of Light and remains very well-connected at both clubs, exclusively told Football Insider that the goalkeeper is not interested in leaving the North East as things stand.
Both United and Tottenham had shown an interest in signing the 24-year-old this month amid growing concerns about their current goalkeeping options.
However, neither club would be prepared to offer Patterson a starting role given the presence of Andre Onana and Guglielmo Vicario, and a place on the bench would not appeal.
Sunderland, meanwhile, are fourth in the Championship and just three points behind league-leaders Leeds as they retain high hopes of promotion to the Premier League.
Brown how insisted their ambitions to reach the top tier will be enough to keep hold of their best players this month and waved away any potential departures.
After coming through the Academy of Light, Patterson is expected to remain at Sunderland and is a big part of Regis Le Bris’ plans for the future.
Sunderland confident of keeping Anthony Patterson after Man United news
Patterson has made 22 appearances for the Black Cats so far this season and kept eight clean sheets, aiding his club in their push for promotion.
Brown, who has a wealth of experience working closely with elite players and in top-level recruitment after over a decade at Man United, insisted that the goalkeeper would have to be made “an offer he can’t refuse” to leave the Stadium of Light.
“He’s a very promising goalkeeper,” he told Football Insider.
“I’ve been impressed by what I’ve seen of him and I can see why a number of scouts and clubs have been taking a look at him.
“But I can’t think of too many clubs in the Premier League who would take him tomorrow and put him straight in as the number one goalkeeper.
“The interest from Man United and Tottenham, I think, would be for him to become their first-choice in the long-term, but for now he’d be behind Onana and Vicario.
“So if they can’t offer him regular football now, I’m not sure he’d be interested in moving.
“Having come through the academy, I’d expect him to stick it out with them unless he is given an offer he can’t refuse, but that won’t happen in January.
“Sunderland is a massive club, the fans are so passionate.
“They’re doing well at the moment and they’ve got a good chance of reaching the Premier League again this season if they can keep up their form.
“So they should be capable of keeping their best players in January, and from what I hear, they’re confident they can keep hold of them.“
In other news, Man United “would love” to sign Newcastle star.
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The post Expert: Sunderland 'confident' over Anthony Patterson after Man United interest appeared first on Football Insider.