Man United have refused to rule out the prospect of giving a new contract to experienced goalkeeper Tom Heaton.
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Manchester United's players train in the US on last season's pre-season tour.
Tom Heaton (second right) could stay at Old Trafford beyond the end of this season.
(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
With the end of the season looming, it will not be long before some members of Manchester United's squad will be saying their goodbyes.
United are preparing for what is expected to be a very busy summer transfer window at Old Trafford with exits expected to reach double figures. United need to raise funds via player sales to add fresh blood to Ruben Amorim's squad, meaning a crop of big-name stars could depart.
Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof and Christian Eriksen are expected to kick-start a flurry of exits and leave the club when their contracts expire at the end of the campaign. Their respective deals are up at the end of June and not are expected to be renewed.
Experienced goalkeeper Tom Heaton is also out of contract next month, but he could be sticking around. The Manchester Evening News reported earlier this month that he could be offered a one-year extension to keep him at the club.
Heaton, who returned to United for a second spell at the club in 2021, turned 39 last month, meaning the prospect of him signing a new deal to keep him at Old Trafford until June 2026 would take him into his 40s.
It is understood that he is open to another season at his boyhood club, despite not making a single appearance since February 2023. He has been named on the bench 20 times this season, meaning there have been instances where he could have been called upon.
Heaton was in an identical position this time last year, approaching the end of his contract, but United tied him down to a new one-year deal. He had offers to go elsewhere, but he informed interested parties that he would only leave the club to become a first-choice goalkeeper.
Heaton went to the European Championship in Germany with England after being invited by former Three Lions boss Gareth Southgate to conduct the role of a training goalkeeper, supporting Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson.
Following the announcement that Heaton would be part of England's plans in Germany, United skipper Bruno Fernandes congratulated him, writing on social media: "Great leaders are always welcome in any place. Congratulations, big man."
Tom Heaton and Bruno Fernandes walk side-by-side away at Wigan Athletic in the FA Cup in January 2024.
Tom Heaton (left) and Bruno Fernandes have formed a close friendship.
Understood to have developed a friendship with Fernandes, Heaton is very popular with his United teammates, who recognise his leadership credentials and experience. He has been part of United's leadership group and his experience is valued by Ruben Amorim.
Having characters of Heaton's ilk inside the dressing room can go a long way towards improving squad morale and boosting the general feeling within the squad.
United are expected to tweak their goalkeeping options this summer, with Altay Bayindir potentially on his way out of the club, and Heaton's present could be very beneficial should a new goalkeeper arrive.
Offering him another year is unlikely to do any harm at all.