Jack Butland has been announced as Manchester United’s first signing of the 2023 January transfer window.
The goalkeeper signs on loan from Crystal Palace, where he was behind Vicente Guaita and Sam Johnstone in the pecking order.
He joins United to compete with Tom Heaton to provide cover for first choice goalkeeper David de Gea.
Butland’s loan deal runs between now and the end of the current season.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
Jack Butland squad number
Jack Butland’s squad number has been confirmed by Manchester United as #31.
The shirt number was previously assigned to Martin Dubravka, the Slovakia international goalkeeper signed on loan from Newcastle United last summer.
Dubravka played two first team games before being recalled by Newcastle on January 1.
The number 31 was worn beforehand by Nemanja Matic was released by the club last summer, after five years at Old Trafford.
Manager Erik ten Hag told the club website he wanted three senior goalkeepers, and praised Butland as a ‘skilful’ player at his position.
He said: “We have so many games – we are not even halfway through the season — and we don’t want to get into a position where two goalies are injured or unavailable, it can also be a suspension.
”Hopefully that won’t happen but we’re in a moment of the season where it’s about getting in a good position to hopefully win trophies and [get] into the Champions League positions.
”If you miss goalies, you can’t replace them with inexperienced goalkeepers. That’s the reason, we want to avoid that. We are really happy, we have a really experience but also really skilful goalkeeper in.”
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