Club chief admits he wants to sign ‘great’ Manchester United back-up

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Hull City have confirmed their interest in signing veteran shot-stopper Tom Heaton from Premier League giants Manchester United this summer.

Though, given the uncertainty surrounding Erik ten Hag’s goalkeeping options, any decision over the former England international is likely to be placed on the backburner for the time being.

Jack Butland has already gone. David de Gea may be going too; his contract expiring at the end of this month.

Hull’s hopes of luring Tom Heaton away from Manchester United, then, may rest on how quickly Ten Hag can bring in a Diogo Costa or an Andre Onana, though a new ‘number two’ may also be required alongside a new ‘number one’.

As things stand, 38-year-old Heaton will be United’s only senior goalkeeper on July 1^st.

Manchester United may have to make Tom Heaton decision

“Tom Heaton is on our list,” Hull vice-chairman Tan Kesler tells the Hull Daily Mail. “He’s a great goalkeeper. He’s a great personality.

“Would he help us? Yes. He’s one of the names and he’s in the mix.”

Kesler has also confirmed that talks with Newcastle United are ongoing regarding Karl Darlow. The long-serving Magpie impressed during a loan spell at Humberside last term and appears more attainable than Heaton as things stand, with Nick Pope, Martin Dubravka and potentially Loris Karius too moving ahead of Darlow in Eddie Howe’s pecking order.,

Manchester United, meanwhile, confirmed last week that they had triggered an extension clause in Heaton’s contract. The Chester-born giant has played only three first-team games since returning for a second spell with the Red Devils from Aston Villa back in 2021.

“I obviously spent a lot of time here as a kid and had a fantastic time,” Heaton told Sky Sports following February’s 3-0 Carabao Cup victory over Charlton Athletic. “I think one of my frustrations was not playing and not being part of it.

“Obviously I went away and played a lot of games in different places, but to get the opportunity to come back…

“Don’t get me wrong, I didn’t come back just to be part of the furniture. I have still got the hunger and drive to get in the shirt. And as soon as I lose that, that will be it for me.

“I still have a lot of ambition to play. I feel great at the minute. I’ve been patiently waiting for the opportunity and hopefully I can keep that moving forward.”