Man United Eyes Botafogo’s **John Victor** to Bolster Goalkeeping Options

Could the Brazilian shot-stopper be the answer to United’s goalkeeping questions?

As **Ruben Amorim** looks to strengthen Manchester United, the name of **John Victor**, the impressive goalkeeper from Botafogo, has surfaced. His standout performances have sparked interest from the Premier League giants, who seek to reinforce their last line of defense.

Who is **John Victor**?

The 29-year-old is making waves after stellar performances, particularly at the Club World Cup. His consistent form throughout the Brazilian domestic season positions him as a sought-after talent, potentially making a move to European football this summer.

Distribution Skills

**John’s** game is characterized by the clarity and quality of his distribution. Like **Ederson**, **John** can launch passes that bypass the midfield, turning defense into attack with driven balls to wide areas or over the top. This season, **John** boasts a long pass completion rate of 53.4%, with overall passing accuracy at 80.8%.

Last season in the Premier League, **Andre Onana** had a long pass accuracy of 36.6%, with an overall passing accuracy of 72.6%. While **Onana** focuses on short and medium passes, **John** excels at stretching the field with cleaner, more efficient long balls.

During the 2024-25 season, **Ederson** completed 65.3% of his long passes. Based on his current stats, **John’s** accuracy would position him as second-best in the league, highlighting his ability to initiate rapid transitions from defense.

Aerial Prowess

Standing at 6ft 5in (196cm), **John** dominates his penalty area. Despite usually starting from deeper positions, he aggressively attacks crosses, exemplified by his performance against Atletico Madrid in Botafogo’s 1-0 defeat in the Club World Cup.

He consistently steps through crowded areas to clear the ball, showing command of his area. He extends himself to the edge of his penalty box to confidently claim the ball.

In 2024, **John** made 24 cross claims, matching **Onana’s** output despite playing fewer matches. Last season, **Emiliano Martinez** (56) and **David Raya** (53) topped the Premier League in cross claims, implying **John’s** numbers would place him around the league’s median.

However, Premier League physicality may pose challenges. Referees generally allow more contact around the six-yard box, potentially leading to issues if **John** overcommits, especially when defenders are better positioned.

Shot-Stopping Abilities

**John** excels as a shot-stopper. In 2024, he recorded an xGOT differential of 8.0, preventing eight more goals than statistically expected. **Fabio**, a Fluminense veteran, led Brazil with 14.4 in the same category. This year, **John** has already prevented 3.3 goals in just 11 matches.

The Premier League’s best performer last season was **Ederson**, with a differential of 5.0. **John’s** composed pre-shot positioning helps him stay balanced and react effectively. Unlike **Onana**, who sometimes makes exaggerated adjustments, **John’s** cleaner footwork leads to more consistent movements.

His style bears resemblance to **Robert Sanchez** of Chelsea. While **Sanchez** has occasionally struggled with timing, **John’s** footwork has been noticeably cleaner over the past two seasons.

During Botafogo’s 1-0 victory against Paris Saint-Germain, **John** maintained composure and made small footwork adjustments when **Vitinha** delivered a dangerous ball. He stayed balanced, open to both the ball and incoming runners, ultimately making a sharp body save.

Experience Matters

While both **John** and **Onana** are 29, their experience levels differ significantly. **Onana** boasts over 400 senior appearances in top European leagues and for Cameroon. Since his Ajax debut in 2016, he has consistently played at an elite level.

**John**, conversely, has played fewer than 150 senior games, with most of his development outside Europe. While he possesses the required skill set, his ability to rapidly adapt to the Premier League remains a concern.

It’s worth noting that in the recent Copa America 2024, goalkeepers averaged 32 passes per game, highlighting the increasing importance of distribution skills for keepers on the international stage (Copa America Official Stats).

Final Verdict

Despite his impressive form and growing interest from European clubs, **John** is viewed as a strategic bet to be a high-potential No. 2 rather than an immediate Premier League starter. Still, signing **John** would be a smart, subtle move and might prove to be an important addition.