Erik ten Hag has confirmed he is considering selecting Jack Butland to make his debut for Manchester United against Charlton tonight.
Manchester United signed Butland a week ago in a surprise loan move from Crystal Palace, looking for extra cover after Martin Dubravka‘s loan deal was cancelled.
United face Charlton at 8pm tonight in the Carabao Cup quarter-finals, and Ten Hag has a decision to make in goal.
Dubravka started the last two Carabao Cup ties, and Ten Hag has to consider whether to go with first choice David de Gea, or select one of the two back-ups, Tom Heaton or Jack Butland.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
Ten Hag says he could pick Jack Butland
David de Gea probably did not do himself any favours with his FA Cup performance against Everton last Friday, where he made an error leading to a goal.
It would still be a safer option to pick him; he is the best goalkeeper of the three, and selecting either Heaton or Butland carries an element of risk.
Ten Hag however is open to it, and told the club website that Butland’s training performances could influence his decision.
He said: “Tom [Heaton] was, many times, on the bench. He had bad luck when he was injured for the Carabao Cup, the first one against Aston Villa. Then Martin [Dubravka] was keeping and he did very well. Now the situation with [Jack] Butland coming in, I have to see his performance in training.
“But the Carabao Cup is coming quick and then we will make a choice. Tom is, of course, more adapted to our way of play and has more connection to the dressing room, to the team, but still I have a decision to make on Tuesday. But, for me, there is no issue.”
The decision is a big one, because there is a case to be made that the player Ten Hag picks tonight, could also stay in goal until the final, should United get there.
Ten Hag reserves the right to change his mind of course, but it would make sense to select one goalkeeper and stick with them all the way through.
The manager won’t be looking at his decision like that tonight though, he won’t be looking past Charlton, instead taking it one game at a time.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
