Man Utd transfer interest prompts former USA star to hit back at MLS critics
Former United States star turned pundit Taylor Twellman has mocked critics of MLS after highly-rated New England Revolution goalkeeper Djorje Petrovic was linked a move to Manchester United.
Talented stopper Petrovic has won widespread plaudits for his performances since swapping his homeland Serbia for the US in 2022, with his strong showings leading to interest from the Premier League giants. According to the Manchester Evening News, the 23-year-old two-time international could well be a solution to United's current lack of options in the position.
The former Cukaricki star made an immediate impression in America and kept six clean sheets in his first 16 outings for his Bostonian employers, while also taking home the MLS Save of the Year award. On top of this, the emerging talent also made enough of an impact to be named as runner-up in the MLS Goalkeeper of the Year vote.
In total, the goalkeeper has made 40 appearances for the Revs, keeping 13 clean sheets in the process, with his record as well as his clear potential catching the eye of the Red Devils. With long-serving stopper David De Gea currently heading for the Old Trafford exit as a free agent after he was unable to reach a deal over fresh terms, Petrovic's eligibility for a work permit could make him an attractive proposition.
On top of the Spaniard's potential departure from the 20-time English champions, back-up goalkeeper Jack Butland has also departed the club for Scottish giants Rangers. In addition, it is possible that fellow understudy Tom Heaton could leave the club in search of first team football this summer.
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The fact that Ten Hag may be about to turn to an MLS goalkeeper to plug the gap has not been lost on former US international Taylor Twellman, with the star's apparent suitability for the Premier League going against the perceptions of some of the league's critics branding it a "retirement league". Taking to Twitter to react to the speculation that Petrovic could be heading to Manchester, he said: "The average age for incoming transfers for MLS over the past 5 years is just under 25 years of age……”retirement league”."
Twellman, who represented New England Revolution between 2002 and 2010 is not the only man to rate the talent of the young players in the league highly, with USMNT goalkeeper Matt Turner also having spoken glowingly about the ability of Petrovic in the past.
Sign for New England Revolution goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic at Gillette Stadium. (Erica Denhoff/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)The Arsenal back-up was previously the goalkeeper for the Revs and the Serbian was actually brought in as his direct replacement. By the sounds of it, he has been impressed with what he as saw of him so far.
He said: "[From] what I’ve seen from him is that he’s really talented. He’s way more talented than I was at his age, you know? He’s taller than me. He’s athletic.”
This follows on from the praise current Revs coach Bruce Arena heaped upon the stopper previously saying: "I’ll tell you this, our other goalkeeper is going to be very good. [Petrovic] is going to be a good one. We are looking forward to seeing him play as well."
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