rik ten Hag has blocked a move for second-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton to newly-promoted Luton Town – where he would have been the club’s No 1 – as the fallout from the club’s goalkeeper crisis continues.
The United manager has told Heaton, 37, that he will not be allowed to leave the club this summer despite the veteran asking the club to permit him to leave in order that he can be a Premier League regular. It follows United’s decision to withdraw their contract offer to David De Gea, 32, the club’s long-term No 1, who is now out of contract this week.
Heaton had been the first choice of Luton manager Rob Edwards to give his team some Premier League experience next season. A former United academy boy, Heaton returned to the club two years ago, signing a two-year contract with a one-year option. It was anticipated that the club would not extend Heaton’s deal for the final and third option year although that is the decision United have now taken.
The club face the prospect, as things stand, of going into the new season with Heaton as their No 1. United’s other first team squad goalkeeper Dean Henderson, who spent last season on loan at Nottingham Forest, has had surgery on a thigh injury sustained in January. Although he is hopeful of a prompt return that is by no means guaranteed.
Heaton has had a long and varied career since he first left United in 2010. He has played in all four divisions and in Belgium at 10 different clubs. He was the long-term No 1 for Burnley for six years.
Amid other targets this summer, United are looking for a new goalkeeper. One candidate is Andre Onana, who played under Ten Hag at Ajax and joined Inter Milan a year ago. The Cameroon international is another of those former Ajax players in whom Ten Hag has great trust.
