Manchester United’s Goalkeeping Crisis Means Erik Ten Hag Could Be Without No 1 During Pre-Season

Manchester United need to sort out a mess at the goalkeeping position ahead of the start of the new season. All is not well behind the scenes.

Longtime No. 1 David de Gea is set to leave the club at the end of June and become a free agent. At one point it seemed like coach Erik ten Hag would be happy to have the Spaniard for at least one more season.

However, it recently emerged that the new contract he had originally been offered had been canceled and he was offered a new contract with even lower wages.

DDG could leave

As per ESPN, club sources have denied that development and have claimed that the club and player are relaxed over the situation as they feel the player can still agree a new deal.

“Talks between the two parties “remain open” and a source close to the negotiations has said “both sides are reflecting” before making their next move.

“United sources have denied a report that the club backtracked on a contract extension after De Gea had already signed it himself,” Rob Dawson wrote in his piece.

De Gea says he wants to stay despite interest from Saudi Arabia, while Ten Hag is willing to keep him but wants competition or a new No.1.

That competition may come from within the club itself but it seems Dean Henderson, who was on loan at Nottingham Forest last season, is adamant he is leaving.

He is currently at Carrington recovering from his injury and will face Ten Hag for the first time. He refused to meet Dutch as he didn’t want to remain second fiddle.

“Henderson has not met Ten Hag in person and dialogue during his loan season at Forest has been limited,” reports The Manchester Evening News.

The Englishman may have had a chance to impress in pre-season but is fed up with proving himself at his youth club.

Henderson and Heaton both want to leave

He was promised the No 1 spot by former manager Ole Gunnar Solskajer but the club never kept their word which infuriated the academy graduate.

Tom Heaton was also set to join Premier League newcomers Luton Town but with the real risk that United would be without an experienced goalkeeper in pre-season, Ten Hag had to end the move.

The England international’s transfer has been blocked and is expected to remain at Old Trafford, particularly if De Gea refuses to accept a new contract.

Heaton is desperate to play regularly after nearly missing a chance to represent his boyhood club in his second spell, but it looks like United’s mishandling of the situation could force him to stay.

United are also interested in signing Champions League hero Andre Onana with Inter Milan, but the asking price remains controversial amid concerns over the club’s budget.

The goalkeeping situation is currently in a desolate state and there is a good chance Heaton will play in goal in the pre-season unless a solution is found soon.