Manchester United transfer U-Turn is already paying off
Man Utd decided to change their summer plans for one player and it has already paid off.
The excitement of pre-season is that you get to see players make their first appearances for new clubs and periphery figures handed a chance in the spotlight. Tom Heaton might not be the stereotypical star to be brandished 'like a new signing' but this summer he could well be.
In the absence of the injured Andre Onana and with plans to sign a new back-up goalkeeper this summer, Heaton could well become an unlikely pre-season star, just months after he was initially expected to leave as a free agent. The expectation was for the 39-year-old to leave at the end of last season, but with uncertainty surrounding other goalkeepers at the club, the decision was made to hand him a new one-year contract extension.
Heaton has only made three competitive appearances during two Old Trafford spells, but proved his worth again at the weekend with a standout showing against Leeds. The veteran made a string of impressive stops to earn a goalless draw and was more comfortable with the ball at his feet than Altay Bayindir appeared to be.
Ruben Amorim would like to refresh his goalkeeping options this summer, and in an ideal world, they would replace both Onana and Bayindir. That is not going to happen, and the expectation is that they will sign a new number two rather than a first-choice. Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lemmens and Botafogo star John Victor both appear to be viable options who would offer genuine competition for the starting role.
Elyh Harrison is set to join Shrewsbury Town on loan for the forthcoming campaign, and there is plenty of interest in Radek Vitek after his impressive loan with BW Linz. Dermot Mee is likely to feature in the pre-season tour squad but is unlikely to have genuine first-team credentials next season.
It means Heaton could be the only goalkeeper involved in the pre-season schedule with a genuine first-team role to play at Old Trafford next season, and it is in the club's best interests to give him a chance in case he is called upon. United can already presume Onana will miss several matches due to his Africa Cup of Nations involvement, during which time Heaton will become second-choice at the very least.
"When the opportunity came to stay for another year in the summer, as always for me the priority is trying to get the shirt," he told MUTV at the weekend. "I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could do that and go and deliver performances, I hope today shows a little bit of that.
"I know I’m a bit older and a bit further down my career than most people, but the flame and fire doesn’t stop burning every weekend, you’re trying to get in the team, it can be difficult, it’s a real challenge. But I try to channel that energy into working every day and performing and when the opportunities come, making sure you take them."
The new deal for Heaton already looks like a sensible bit of business. By the time the season starts, it could be a priceless piece of business too.
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