Man Utd in surprise contract talks with star who hasn’t played a minute in 26 months

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Manchester United are gearing up for a summer overhaul, but one player could be about to survive another year at the club.

Heading into the summer transfer window, there is no way Ineos could be planning anything but an overhaul after how much of a disaster this season has been for Ruben Amorim.

Manchester United sit 14th in the Premier League, which is an unprecedented new low for the club in the competition, racking up 15 losses and having a goal difference of just minus eight.

Position	Team	Played MP	Won W	Drawn D	Lost L	For GF	Against GA	Diff GD	Points Pts
12	Crystal PalaceCrystal Palace	34	11	12	11	43	47	-4	45
13	WolvesWolves	34	12	5	17	51	61	-10	41
14	Man UtdManchester United	34	10	9	15	39	47	-8	39
15	EvertonEverton	34	8	14	12	34	41	-7	38
16	TottenhamTottenham	34	11	4	19	62	56	6	37

So in response to this season, United looks to be planning to axe at least 10 players from the club permanently to fund and clear space for the planned rebuild, which is long overdue in all honesty.

Therefore, it has been expected that United will release Tom Heaton, Christian Eriksen, Victor Lindelof, and Jonny Evans. Meanwhile, sales are likely for Marcus Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Casemiro, and Tyrell Malacia.

However, now it is emerging that one player from this list is actually in new contract talks.

• READ MORE: Who are INEOS? Exploring Man Utd co-owner Sir Jim Ratcliffe’s billion-pound business

Manchester United in talks with Tom Heaton over contract extension

While certain players simply must be let go this summer, others could be retained and save Jason Wilcox and Christopher Vivell a job in having to replace another player.

This would be the case for a third-choice goalkeeper who is very unlikely to ever see the light of day in a game for Amorim’s United.

Now, according to the Mail Online, United are considering keeping Heaton around as a third-choice goalkeeper this summer.

The 39-year-old’s contract expires in June but is now back in talks over signing a one-year extension, which will see him remain at United as the third-choice goalkeeper.

This would save United from having to sign a player like Freddie Woodman, who has been linked as a new third-choice keeper. While United are also considering Aynsley Pears as a Heaton replacement.

This would almost certainly be Heaton’s last contract before hanging up his boots, and with United planning to sign a young goalkeeper to potentially replace Andre Onana, the experience could be vital.

• READ MORE: Who is Andre Onana? Delve into the life of Manchester United’s Cameroonian shot-stopper

When did Tom Heaton last play for Manchester United?

Despite being a big dressing room figure, Heaton’s return to United in 2021 was always going to be more about him being a support act than ever being in the spotlight himself.

This has particularly been the case in the past two seasons, in which Heaton became the third choice following Altay Bayindir’s arrival at the club.

Heaton last played for United back on the 1st of February 2023 for the Carabao Cup semi-final second leg against Nottingham Forest in a 2-0 win. Heaton played twice in the 2022/23 season and didn’t concede a single goal.

The season before, Heaton played just 22 minutes in a Champions League clash against Young Boys – also keeping a clean sheet in this one.

So, despite making just three appearances in his United career, Heaton has been flawless so far, and we would think he might get one more outing before his career comes to a close.