Man United announce new contract for veteran ahead of pre-season

Manchester United have announced that goalkeeper Tom Heaton has signed a new one-year contract at Old Trafford to keep him at the club until the summer of 2025.

Heaton started his professional career with the Red Devils back in 2005, but he failed to make a senior appearance during his first spell at the club, instead spending time out on loan with Swindon Town, Royal Antwerp, Cardiff City, Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.

The stopper left Man United on a permanent basis for Cardiff in 2010 and then went on to represent Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa before securing a return to Old Trafford in the summer of 2021.

Heaton has only made three appearances for the 20-time English champions, while he did not feature on a single occasion last term, with Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir both ahead of him in the pecking order.

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Heaton "delighted" to sign new Man United deal

The goalkeeper's previous deal expired at the end of June, but it has now been confirmed that he has signed until the end of the 2024-25 campaign, and he will again be the club's number three stopper next term.

"I am delighted to continue my stay at my boyhood club," Heaton told the club's official media. "I still feel in great shape and I am ready to offer whatever the squad needs throughout the season ahead.

"In addition to on the pitch, I'm learning so much off it for my next steps, whatever that may be. But, first and foremost, I want to push the squad to build on our successes from last season."

Heaton, 38, was called into the England squad for Euro 2024 as a training goalkeeper, with the veteran supporting Jordan Pickford, Aaron Ramsdale and Dean Henderson.

After the tournament has concluded, Heaton will head back to Manchester to prepare for the new season, with the club's first friendly of the summer taking place against Rosenborg on July 15.

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Why have Man United kept Heaton?

The role of a number three goalkeeper is an interesting one, and it would not be a surprise at all if Heaton again did not make a single appearance next season.

However, his influence on the training pitch is clear, and the fact that England wanted him in their group for Euro 2024 is an indication of the respect that he commands.

It is believed that Man United view Heaton as a future coach, so a staff role could open up at the end of next season, when the Englishman might call time on his professional career.

Despite not playing in the Premier League for the Red Devils, he has featured on 116 occasions in England's top flight during his professional career, while he has been capped on three occasions by England.