MX23RW : Thursday, May 23 16:27:39| >> :60:79:79:

How is Manchester United's goalkeeping department shaping up ahead of new season?

How is Man United's goalkeeping department shaping up ahead of new season?
© Reuters
Sports Mole takes a close look at how Manchester United's goalkeeping department is shaping up ahead of the 2023-24 campaign.

Manchester United only have one senior goalkeeper available for selection at this moment in time, with Tom Heaton starting the team's opening pre-season friendly of the summer against Leeds United on Wednesday.

Heaton's contract with the Red Devils had been due to expire at the end of June, but a 12-month extension was activated, with the 37-year-old's deal now running until June 2024.

If the 2023-24 Premier League campaign started tomorrow, Heaton would be between the sticks, as Dean Henderson is still recovering from the thigh problem that he suffered in January.

Under another manager, Henderson could have had the perfect chance to become Man United's new number one for the 2023-24 season, but he is allegedly not in the plans of Erik ten Hag, with a permanent move to Nottingham Forest thought to be a serious possibility.

Henderson impressed on loan at Forest last term before picking up a season-ending injury, and it would be a surprise if the 26-year-old stayed at Man United this summer.

Nottingham Forest's Dean Henderson celebrates saving a penalty on August 28, 2022© Reuters

Heaton was replaced at the interval against Leeds by Matej Kovar, with the 23-year-old back at Old Trafford this summer after a successful loan spell at Sparta Prague last term.

Kovar featured on 32 occasions for Sparta, and it is not impossible to imagine him being a part of the goalkeeping department at Old Trafford next season, potentially as a number two or a number three.

The former Czech Republic Under-21s international has never played a first-team match for the Red Devils, though, and he is thought to be looking for first-team action at this stage of his career.

In addition to Heaton, Henderson and Kovar, there is Nathan Bishop, who made the move to Old Trafford from Southend United in January 2020.

The 23-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils, though, and it would not be a surprise to see him leave on another loan move, having represented Mansfield Town in 2021-22.

Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton pictured on December 30, 2021© Reuters

David de Gea's departure means that the number one spot is available at the club, and it is expected to be filled by Andre Onana, with the Cameroonian said to be closing in on a move from Inter Milan.

The two clubs have been in intense discussions over the last week, and it is understood that an agreement has now been reached, with Man United set to pay €50m (£42.8m) plus €5m (£4.3m) add-ons for the stopper.

Onana will be the club's number one next season, but there have been claims that another goalkeeper could also arrive, with Urawa Red Diamonds stopper Zion Suzuki thought to be a target.

Despite Heaton currently being first choice between the sticks, there is a chance that the experienced goalkeeper could be allowed to leave this summer if two players arrive in his area of the field.

David de Gea in action for Manchester United on May 7, 2023© Reuters

Heaton is thought to be wanted by both Everton and Luton Town, with the veteran only making three first-team appearances for Man United since returning to the club in the summer of 2021.

The situation is hardly ideal for Man United with the Premier League campaign just one month away, but Onana is expected to travel on the pre-season tour of the United States.

It will then be fascinating to see how the goalkeeping department looks over the next few weeks, with Henderson, Kovar and Bishop potentially departing, which might then see Heaton stay alongside Onana and another youngster goalkeeper in the shape of Suzuki.

Jack Butland was signed in January as a replacement for Martin Dubravka, who was recalled by Newcastle United, but the former has now completed a permanent move to Rangers from Crystal Palace.

The situation surrounding De Gea has also been difficult, with the Spaniard's exit now being confirmed, so there is expected to be a completely new look to the goalkeeping department at the club next term.

ID:518486:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect6979:
Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Inter Milan goalkeeper Andre Onana on May 24, 2023
Read Next:
Manchester United 'closing in on Andre Onana deal'
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
CManchester CityMan City38287396346291
2Arsenal38285591296289
3Liverpool382410486414582
4Aston Villa382081076611568
5Tottenham HotspurSpurs382061274611366
6Chelsea381891177631463
7Newcastle UnitedNewcastle381861485622360
8Manchester UnitedMan Utd38186145758-160
9West Ham UnitedWest Ham381410146074-1452
10Crystal Palace381310155758-149
11Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton381212145562-748
12Bournemouth38139165467-1348
13Fulham38138175561-647
14Wolverhampton WanderersWolves38137185065-1546
15Everton38139164051-1140
16Brentford38109195665-939
17Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest3899204967-1832
RLuton TownLuton3868245285-3326
RBurnley3859244178-3724
RSheffield UnitedSheff Utd38372835104-6916


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!