Manchester United have confirmed that Tom Heaton has signed a new contract with the club.
The 39-year-old goalkeeper’s previous deal with the 20-time English champions was supposed to expire at the end of June, and it was thought that he would leave the club on a free transfer and probably retire as a professional footballer.
But the uncertainty surrounding the goalkeeper department at Old Trafford has led United to choose to offer him a new one-year deal that lasts until the end of the 2025/26 season.
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“I am incredibly proud to continue representing Manchester United. As a group, we are all really looking forward to the upcoming season. I am ready to support the team in every way as we prepare to fight for the biggest trophies,” Heaton told the club’s official website.
Sporting director Jason Wilcox added:
“Tom’s leadership and experience are very important to the group, so we are delighted that he will be part of the squad again next season. His mentality and excellent preparation to always be ready when called upon, make him the perfect addition to our goalkeeper group.”
Heaton will be United’s third goalkeeper also in 2025/26
Heaton spent the last years of his youth career at Manchester United before turning professional with the club, but he did not get any games in his first spell there.
After six loan spells, he moved to Cardiff City in 2010, before later playing for Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa – before returning to Old Trafford.
Heaton has only made three appearances in the last four seasons, with his last appearance for the club in the 2022/23 season.
However, the Englishman is considered a very important part of the management team at United, and the decision to give him a new contract is due to the uncertainty surrounding the futures of Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir.
United expected to sign a new goalkeeper this summer
The futures of both Onana and Bayindir are under debate, after both have struggled to impress since arriving from Inter Milan and Fenerbahce respectively in the summer of 2023.
Bayindir has only made 11 appearances for United, and according to reports, the Turkish international is interested in a move to become the first goalkeeper elsewhere.
As for Onana, it has been tough for the Cameroonian goalkeeper over the past two seasons, with a number of high-profile mistakes during his time in Manchester.
Onana is now heavily linked with a move away from the club, with United believed to have identified Aston Villa’s Emiliano Martínez, Porto’s Diogo Costa, Real Madrid’s Andrij Lunin and Lille’s Lucas Chevalier as potential replacements.
There is a possibility that both Bayindir and Onana could leave, so it is not surprising that United have chosen to keep Heaton – who could get game time ahead of the new season.
What now for United’s goalkeeper situation?
- Heaton will be a stable experienced reserve
- Bayindir can be sold if a good offer comes
- Onana can be substituted if the right goalkeeper is signed
- United are looking for a new first goalkeeper, but have secured a backup
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