Manchester United veteran goalkeeper Tom Heaton is set to secure a new contract at Old Trafford, despite expectations that he would be heading for the exit.
The 39-year-old has been fulfilling an important squad and training role for the club since he rejoined in 2021, 11 years after he first left the club.
As Manchester United sent its retained list of players to the Premier League for the upcoming 2025/26 campaign, there was also confirmation of senior players leaving the club, with the three-time England senior international omitted.
Christian Eriksen, Jonny Evans, and Viktor Lindelof have now left Old Trafford upon expiry of their contracts, with the Northern Ireland legend bringing the curtain down on his overall career during the post-season tour of Asia.
Also leaving the club are academy prospects Hubert Graczyk, Jack Kingdon, Sam Murray, Tom Myles, James Nolan and Tom Wooster.
As intimated in the official club statement, talks are ongoing with Tom Heaton to extend his stay at the club for another year.
He has made just three appearances since coming back to Old Trafford in 2021, but his role is about more than first-team action. He is considered to be an important voice in the dressing room and is involved in the leadership group of Ruben Amorim’s squad.
We have sent our retained list to the #PL 📋#MUFC
— Manchester United (@ManUtd) June 9, 2025
Other keepers linked with move to Old Trafford
The situation also points to an element of change in Amorim’s plans for his goalkeepers next season, after Altay Bayndir failed to capitalise on his chance when he was selected during the end-of-season run-in, most notably on the last day with that infamous incident against Aston Villa.
Andre Onana’s form was another issue for Amorim to contend with, and as the Portuguese aims to build a team to play his way next season, he will want a man between the posts that he can rely on. There is likely to be a signifcant turnover in the entire squad, with every player effectively up for sale after the crushing loss of European football next term.
It is difficult to envisage that Onana will be his first-choice goalkeeper, so a new signing is likely to arrive at the club in the coming weeks.
Names such as Barcelona’s Marc-Andre ter Stegen, Lille’s Lucas Chevalier, and Aston Villa’s Emi Martinez have been linked, but it will be interesting to monitor which direction Amorim and United take.
One of Onana and Bayindir is likely to depart, leaving the other to fight for the gloves with Heaton braced to continue his support role, if he agrees to extend his stay at Manchester United.