David de Gea sends message to Tom Heaton after transfer announcement

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David de Gea has extra competition at Manchester United.

The club confirmed the signing of veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton earlier today.

Heaton, 35, told the club website: “I feel in great shape and I’m looking forward to coming in to compete with the other goalkeepers.”

One of those competitors is David de Gea and he has already reached out to Heaton.

Heaton left United in 2010, one year before De Gea was signed from Atletico Madrid.

Dean Henderson has been putting De Gea under extra pressure this past season and started 12 of the 38 Premier League games.

United’s next move at goalkeeper is a little unclear. But Heaton is likely to be the number two.

That means one of De Gea or Henderson will be moved on, either on loan or permanently.

This might be dependent on what kind of offers come in for both. In Henderson’s case for instance, United might be minded to consider a sale with a buy-back clause.

De Gea is on triple Henderson’s wages and is going to be harder to shift.

Competition for places is a positive though, and Heaton’s arrival ensures that if one of them leaves, United will still have the depth required to compete in multiple competitions.

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