The future of two Manchester United players has been thrown into doubt amid the club’s unexpected offering of a contract extension to Tom Heaton.
Manchester United are preparing for a major squad overhaul this summer as Rúben Amorim looks to rebuild the team in his image.
Sir Jim Ratcliffe and INEOS are targeting the sale of at least ten senior players, aiming to raise significant funds and reshape the dressing room.
Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelöf, and Jonny Evans will leave when their contracts expire in June, while Marcus Rashford, Antony, and Jadon Sancho are among those expected to be sold — with United hoping to generate over £100 million in fees.
Questions remain over the futures of Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, and Alejandro Garnacho as the club balance financial pressures with long-term planning.
United set to initiate Heaton contract U-turn
Among those expected to leave once their contracts expire, third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton, who turned 39 earlier this year, was also expected to leave the club and potentially retire.
However, a report from last week revealed that, in a shock twist, the club were considering handing the player a 12-month contract extension to keep him at United for one more season.
Heaton is known to be a popular figure within the dressing room and a leading voice, despite having made just three appearances for the club since he re-signed in 2021.
The veteran goalie has struck up a strong relationship with club captain Bruno Fernandes and is considered a lieutenant of the club captain. Amorim values his experience amid a squad of young players looking to make their mark at Old Trafford.
Two United stars’ futures thrown into doubt
Amid United’s want to keep Heaton at the club for a further season, the futures of André Onana and Altay Bayındır have been thrown into doubt.
This is according to the Manchester Evening News, where the report claims that Heaton’s potential extension points toward growing uncertainty surrounding Amorim’s other two first-team goalkeepers.
Although Amorim is known to be a fan of Onana, there are rumours swirling surrounding his future amid United’s interest in Torino goalkeeper Vanja Milinkovic-Savic, with Bayındır also being linked with a move away as the second-choice hunts for game time elsewhere.
Heaton’s contract extension is a sign that United want to create as much continuity as possible amid the possible departures of both players. Signing three new goalkeepers may be a step too far for the Premier League side.
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