Manchester United are stepping up efforts to sign a new back-up goalkeeper, The Athletic report.
The club were left dismayed by Dean Henderson’s recent interview in which he blasted the club for ‘broken promises’.
It seems unlikely there is a way back for Henderson, with United expected to try and sell him at the end of the season, for substantially above £20 million.
Now United are looking for a goalkeeper who can take Henderson’s place, moving 36-year-old Tom Heaton down to third choice.
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Manchester United increase goalkeeper budget
The Athletic report Manchester United had previously assigned a minimal £1 million budget to find a third choice goalkeeper.
Now the plans have changed, with United setting a £7 million budget to find a second choice goalkeeper.
This isn’t a high amount, and it’s questionable why the club are even bothering, unless a young, number one of the future can be found for this figure.
David de Gea may be the clear number one, but his contract expires at the end of this season, and earns a staggering £375,000 per week.
He also has major faults to his game which were evident in pre-season and the opening game of the campaign against Brighton.
United need to find a long term successor for De Gea. This will cost more than £7 million, and quite simply, the club should pay up.
If the club want a journeyman who won’t bother De Gea this season, then they might as well simply stick with Tom Heaton. Adding in a short-term fix for £7 million is unlikely to solve anything.