Erik ten Hag has reportedly refused to allow Tom Heaton to join Luton, with fellow Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea potentially leaving the club tomorrow.
De Gea’s contract is set to expire on Friday, and after United performed a u-turn on his contract, he may depart after 12 years at Old Trafford with no new deal in place.
Th Spanish shot-stopper’s exit would leave United with a shortage of goalkeepers, and Ten Hag has reacted to this by blocking Heaton’s proposed switch to newly-promoted Luton, according to The Telegraph
Heaton played just two Carabao Cup matches last season, and had asked to leave the club to get more playing time next term.
Having rejoined his boyhood club in 2021, Heaton was expected to be offloaded this summer, and emerged as Luton manager Rob Edwards’ first-choice goalkeeping target, but the Red Devils have instead opted to take up their option of extending his deal until 2024.
Their decision comes amid a goalkeeping crisis at Old Trafford, with uncertainty over De Gea’s future growing.
The 32-year-old had looked likely to stay beyond this summer, with Ten Hag repeatedly stating last season that he saw De Gea as part of his future plans.
He agreed a new deal with United, but they then changed the terms of the contract and offered him reduced wages.
De Gea posted a yawning emoji on social media on Wednesday, suggesting he is getting bored of the speculation surrounding him, but he is running out of time to reach an agreement with United.
United finished last season with De Gea, Heaton and Jack Butland as their recognised goalkeepers.
Butland was only on loan at the club from Crystal Palace, though, and he has since moved to Rangers on a four-year deal.
Dean Henderson has returned from his own loan spell at Nottingham Forest, but missed the second half of last season with a thigh injury that required surgery.
He is hopeful of making his comeback ahead of next season, but an imminent return is not certain after a lengthy layoff.
Ten Hag is also reportedly ‘p***** off’ with Henderson and is not keen on bringing him back into the fold after he spoke negatively about United during his time away from the club.
Ten Hag does not appear to be happy with any of his current goalkeeping options, but wans to keep Heaton around as he could be the only fit senior shot-stopper at the club come Saturday.
United are in the market for a new No 1, with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana identified as a potential option.
Onana impressed on Inter’s run to the Champions League final last season, and the Old Trafford club are keen on securing a £45m deal for his services.
