Transfer Centre

Erik ten Hag 'actively searching for new Manchester United goalkeeper'

By Ben Knapton, Senior Reporter | 08 August 2022

Erik ten Hag 'actively searching for new Man United goalkeeper'

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is actively leading the club's search for a new backup goalkeeper to David de Gea, according to a report.

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag is reportedly playing a leading role in his side's search for a new goalkeeper.

The Red Devils once again began the new campaign with David de Gea as the club's undisputed number one, but the Spaniard will turn 32 later this year.

De Gea is also due to become a free agent at the end of the current season, although Man United do possess the option to trigger a one-year extension until 2024.

Nevertheless, De Gea was briefly linked with a summer departure from Man United and was tipped to head back to Atletico Madrid if Diego Simeone's side parted ways with Jan Oblak.

However, De Gea has fended off competition from Dean Henderson to re-establish himself as Man United's number one, leading the Englishman to join Nottingham Forest on loan.

Dean Henderson in action for Nottingham Forest on August 6, 2022 © Reuters

After Lee Grant's retirement, the Red Devils had Tom Heaton on the bench for their opening Premier League defeat to Brighton & Hove Albion, but a new second-choice goalkeeper could still be on the agenda for the summer window.

According to The Sun, Ten Hag is spearheading the club's operation to sign a new shot-stopper and has drawn up a list of his favoured targets, which may prove too expensive for the club's budget.

The report does not mention any specific names, but Nathan Bishop's proposed loan move to Wycombe Wanderers has allegedly stalled over the Red Devils' search for a new goalkeeper.

Nottingham Forest loanee Henderson did not make a single Premier League appearance for Man United last term, only featuring three times in the EFL Cup, FA Cup and Champions League.

The 25-year-old - who was in between the sticks as the Tricky Trees lost their Premier League opener 2-0 to Newcastle United - recently blasted United's "criminal" treatment of him and admitted that he did not even wait for Ten Hag to arrive before sealing another temporary exit.

Manchester United's Dean Henderson pictured on December 8, 2021 © Reuters

"I turned so many good loans down last summer for that reason and they wouldn't let me go. To waste 12 months was criminal really, at my age. I was fuming. It was so frustrating," Henderson told talkSPORT.

"I didn't really want the manager to see me in training because I knew he'd probably want to keep me. I told all the hierarchy: 'I need to go and play football. I don't want to be playing second fiddle.' And it panned out so I was almost gone before the manager came in."

In a separate interview with Sky Sports News, Henderson likened his situation at the Theatre of Dreams to that of a "caged animal", adding: "I can't wait to get back out there.

"For me personally, being a caged animal for the last year, to get out there and actually play in front of a full St James' Park, being the underdogs, is sensational."

Man United will aim to pick up their first win of the 2022-23 Premier League season when they tackle Brentford away from home on Saturday evening.