BREAKING NEWS: Erik ten Hag ‘BLOCKS Tom Heaton from moving to Luton’ in an indicator that David de Gea will leave the club TOMORROW as Man United risk starting the season with just one senior goalkeeper.
Erik ten Hag has reportedly refused to allow Tom Heaton to join Luton, with Manchester United goalkeeper David de Gea set to leave the club tomorrow.
De Gea’s contract expires on Friday and, after United made a contract switch, he could leave after 12 years at Old Trafford without a new deal.
The Spanish striker’s departure would leave United with a goalkeeping shortage, and Ten Hag have reacted to this by blocking Heaton’s proposed switch to newly-promoted Luton, it has been reported. The Telegraph.
Heaton played just two Carabao Cup games last season and had asked to leave the club to get more game time next season.
Having rejoined his boyhood club in 2021, Heaton was expected to be offloaded this summer and became Luton manager Rob Edwards’ first-choice goalkeeping target, but the The Red Devils have opted to exercise his option to extend his deal until 2024.
Erik ten Hag has reportedly blocked Tom Heaton’s proposed move to Luton
The decision comes amid speculation that David de Gea (left) could leave United on Friday
Ten Hag have opted to keep Heaton due to a goalkeeping crisis unfolding at Old Trafford
His decision comes amid a goalkeeping crisis at Old Trafford, with uncertainty over De Gea’s future growing.
The 32-year-old looked likely to stay beyond this summer, with Ten Hag repeatedly claiming last season that he saw De Gea as part of his future plans.
He agreed a new deal with United, but they later changed the terms of his contract and offered him reduced wages.
De Gea posted a yawning emoji on social media on Wednesday, suggesting he is growing tired of the speculation surrounding him but is running out of time to agree a deal with United.
United finished last season with De Gea, Heaton and Jack Butland as their renowned goalkeepers.
But Butland was only on loan at the club from Crystal Palace, and has since moved to Rangers on a four-year deal.
Dean Henderson has returned from his own loan at Nottingham Forest but missed the second half of last season with a thigh injury which required surgery.
He is hopeful of returning before next season, but an imminent return after a long layoff is not certain.
Dean Henderson has returned from his loan spell but has reportedly been ‘lost’ at Ten Hag
Ten Hag is also said to be “p ***** out” with Henderson and has no desire to bring him back in after speaking negatively about United during his time away from the club.
Ten Hag don’t appear to be happy with any of their current goalkeeping options, but want to keep Heaton close as he could be the club’s only fit senior player on Saturday.
United are looking for a new No.1, with Inter Milan’s Andre Onana identified as a potential option.
Onana impressed in Inter’s run to the Champions League final last season, and the Old Trafford club are keen to secure a £45m deal for his services.
