Manchester United only have one senior goalkeeper available for selection at this moment in time, with Tom Heaton starting the team's opening pre-season friendly of the summer against Leeds United on Wednesday.
Heaton's contract with the Red Devils had been due to expire at the end of June, but a 12-month extension was activated, with the 37-year-old's deal now running until June 2024.
If the 2023-24 Premier League campaign started tomorrow, Heaton would be between the sticks, as Dean Henderson is still recovering from the thigh problem that he suffered in January.
Under another manager, Henderson could have had the perfect chance to become Man United's new number one for the 2023-24 season, but he is allegedly not in the plans of Erik ten Hag, with a permanent move to Nottingham Forest thought to be a serious possibility.
Henderson impressed on loan at Forest last term before picking up a season-ending injury, and it would be a surprise if the 26-year-old stayed at Man United this summer.
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Heaton was replaced at the interval against Leeds by Matej Kovar, with the 23-year-old back at Old Trafford this summer after a successful loan spell at Sparta Prague last term.
Kovar featured on 32 occasions for Sparta, and it is not impossible to imagine him being a part of the goalkeeping department at Old Trafford next season, potentially as a number two or a number three.
The former Czech Republic Under-21s international has never played a first-team match for the Red Devils, though, and he is thought to be looking for first-team action at this stage of his career.
In addition to Heaton, Henderson and Kovar, there is Nathan Bishop, who made the move to Old Trafford from Southend United in January 2020.
The 23-year-old is yet to make a first-team appearance for the Red Devils, though, and it would not be a surprise to see him leave on another loan move, having represented Mansfield Town in 2021-22.
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David de Gea's departure means that the number one spot is available at the club, and it is expected to be filled by Andre Onana, with the Cameroonian said to be closing in on a move from Inter Milan.
The two clubs have been in intense discussions over the last week, and it is understood that an agreement has now been reached, with Man United set to pay €50m (£42.8m) plus €5m (£4.3m) add-ons for the stopper.
Onana will be the club's number one next season, but there have been claims that another goalkeeper could also arrive, with Urawa Red Diamonds stopper Zion Suzuki thought to be a target.
Despite Heaton currently being first choice between the sticks, there is a chance that the experienced goalkeeper could be allowed to leave this summer if two players arrive in his area of the field.
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Heaton is thought to be wanted by both Everton and Luton Town, with the veteran only making three first-team appearances for Man United since returning to the club in the summer of 2021.
The situation is hardly ideal for Man United with the Premier League campaign just one month away, but Onana is expected to travel on the pre-season tour of the United States.
It will then be fascinating to see how the goalkeeping department looks over the next few weeks, with Henderson, Kovar and Bishop potentially departing, which might then see Heaton stay alongside Onana and another youngster goalkeeper in the shape of Suzuki.
Jack Butland was signed in January as a replacement for Martin Dubravka, who was recalled by Newcastle United, but the former has now completed a permanent move to Rangers from Crystal Palace.
The situation surrounding De Gea has also been difficult, with the Spaniard's exit now being confirmed, so there is expected to be a completely new look to the goalkeeping department at the club next term.
Matt Law
