The decision was not taken in haste as the Dutchman watched the Spaniard for one full season in which the club legend committed numerous errors, none bigger than the one in the FA Cup final which ultimately broke the camel’s back.

The club had initially offered the former Atletico Madrid man a new long-term deal on reduced wages but on Ten Hag’s instructions, rescinded that offer and put on the table a new deal on even lesser wages.

De Gea opted to leave, leaving Ten Hag with Dean Henderson and Tom Heaton. Henderson was keen to quit, and and with a deal for Andre Onana dragging on, the manager decided to block an exit for Heaton.

Heaton’s future

Premier League new boys Luton Town were interested in the academy graduate who started only two games in the previous campaign.

But after discussions with the manager, the shot-stopper ended up staying only to see the club bring in Altay Bayindir as reserve keeper which meant he was effectively made third-choice.

He has been named on the bench 12 times this season but is yet to make an appearance with the Turk himself making only one appearance in his debut season.

In fact, since his return to Old Trafford, the 38-year-old has only managed three appearances when former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had promised much more.

Heaton’s current deal with the club ends in June and with the goalie keen to play more and in no mood to hang up his gloves, a separation seemed likely.

But as The Manchester Evening News have now revealed, the former Burnley star is open to staying on and is receptive to the idea of joining the coaching staff at the club in the future.

Contract ends in June

Bayindir has been linked with an exit and that could mean an unlikely promotion but Heaton is keeping all his options open as he seeks to play a bit more regularly.

“Tom Heaton is open to staying at Manchester United after his contract expires in June. Heaton has no intention of retiring and is keeping his options open.

“He is understood to be disappointed at his limited playing time at United but would be receptive to assuming a coaching role at the club after his playing career finishes.”

If both reserve keepers end up leaving, another mad scramble for goalies could ensue as was seen last season. Hopefully, the club can keep the continuity intact at the back.

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INEOS will be in charge by then and the summer is promising to be a game-changer in the short-term at least as new plans will be set in motion backed by competent people behind-the-scenes for the first time.

A new CEO is already in place and there are plans to recruit a new sporting director and head of recruitment once the ratification process is completed.

Despite the upturn in form, manager Erik ten Hag’s future remains far from secure and the new incoming personnel will take a call on the Dutchman.

INEOS to take the call

The current administration are also delaying the decisions with regards to the futures of several first-team stars whose contracts are set to expire in June.

A raft of one-year options have been triggered in contracts of Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Victor Lindelof even though they are meant mainly to protect the player’s value.

The most high-profile player whose stay could be coming to an end is Raphael Varane with the club deciding against triggering the option due to his enormous wages.

Sir Jim Ratcliffe wants to trim the wage bill and if an adequate replacement can be sourced, the Frenchman’s stay could be coming to an end as Al Nassr prepare a mouthwatering offer.

“Manchester United want to wait before deciding on whether to offer Raphael Varane a new contract,” The Manchester Evening News pointed out.

“It is understood United partly want to delay a decision amid planned structural and personnel changes as the Ineos Group prepares to complete its 25% stakeholding in the club.”

Overhaul in motion

Another star whose deals ends at the end of the current season is Jonny Evans. Signed mainly as a backup, the Northern Irishman has played more than he could have hoped for due to the injury crisis at the club.

Ten Hag has suitably been impressed with what the academy graduate has to offer and is in favour of another one-year deal.

But INEOS will decide all of this and Scott McTominay’s future. The super-sub’s deal ends next year but United do have the option of extending it by a year.

Other players whose deals end include Tom Heaton, who was kept on in the summer despite plenty of interest, and Brandon Williams who is out on loan at Ipswich Town.

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Manchester United made huge changes to the goalkeeping department at Old Trafford in the summer.

Andre Onana and Altay Bayindir were signed to replace long-standing number one David de Gea and back-up keeper Jack Butland, with both leaving the club at the end of their respective contracts.

Onana has suffered an up-and-down start to his career in Manchester but hasn’t missed a minute of his debut season.

However, the former Inter man could now miss his first set of United fixtures due to his participation in the Africa Cup of Nations.

Ten Hag now has a decision to make on who steps in for the Cameroonian with Bayindir and Tom Heaton the manager’s options.

As quoted by The Express, former United defender Wes Brown feels that Ten Hag may spring a surprise and plump for the experienced Heaton over his summer signing.

“I just feel that Tom’s played before, obviously he’s very experienced. I’ve been watching warm-ups ahead of games and I always notice Tom goes in nets first and gets everything done,” Brown told MUTV.

The Treble winner admits Bayindir is many people’s favourite to get the nod but Heaton’s showings in a handful of games on his return to the club will also be in the manager’s thoughts.

“Everyone thinks he won’t play. He’s played matches before, When needed he’s put him in, he’s done fine, there have not been problems, I just feel Tom’s going to play,” he added.

It is unclear just how many games Onana will miss for United with Cameroon struggling in the early exchanges of the AFCON.

He will almost certainly miss the trip to Newport in the FA Cup on Sunday but should the Indomitable Lions fail to get out of their group, he could be back in action sooner than anticipated.

If Cameroon find their feet and go all the way, Onana will miss up to four United games.

However long United are to be without their first choice keeper, Ten Hag will be desperate to make the right choice between the sticks until he returns.

The post Wes Brown believes Erik ten Hag will play Tom Heaton with Andre Onana at the Africa Cup of Nations appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Speaking to the club’s media outlet, Bayindir contends he has a “positive” relationship with his fellow goalkeepers – Andre Onana and Tom Heaton – which is crucial in supporting whoever is selected between the sticks.

“All the goalkeepers, their character is very nice. We are always positive. Of course, we are fighting [to be] on the pitch, because everyone wants to play with the team in the stadium. But we have a good energy. It doesn’t matter who is playing, because we will, of course, support them every time.

“Team spirit is very important, you know? If we are doing this, we can be successful in the game, it’s very important. I think if we’re always doing that, we can always go up.”

The Turkish international says he has “very good communication” with Onana and Heaton, with each player “fighting [to be the best] in…training” but remaining “best friends” outside of football.

Bayindir even reveals the trio are inseparable off the training pitch as well: “When we are going out for dinner, we are always together. It’s very good. We will continue with this feeling because we are a very big family.”

The goalkeeper believes this positivity is not limited to the shotstoppers at Old Trafford, however. “It’s not about just goalkeepers. All players have good heart and we are fighting for this great family always.”

Though he is yet to play a single minute for his new club, following his £4.3 million move from Fenerbahce in the summer, this may be set to change by the end of the month.

Onana has been a permanent fixture in Erik ten Hag’s side this season, playing every minute of every game so far this season.

The goalkeeper replaced David De Gea as the number one (though he wears the unusual number twenty-four shirt) at Old Trafford following his move from Inter Milan a month before Bayindir.

The 27-year-old has now departed Manchester, however, to represent Cameroon at the African Cup of Nations.

If the Indomitable Lions progress to the knock-out stage of the tournament in the Ivory Coast, Onana will miss the FA Cup fourth round tie against Newport County, at a minimum.

As a result, Bayindir could be in line to make his debut in a United shirt on Sunday 28th January in the Cameroonian’s absence.

It will constitute a dream come true for a player who has dreamed of being a goalkeeper since he was a boy; with a little friendly encouragement from his mother. 

The post “We are fighting”: Altay Bayindir reveals desire to win at Old Trafford appeared first on Man United News And Transfer News | The Peoples Person.

Rio Ferdinand has made the controversial statement that third choice Manchester United goalkeeper, Tom Heaton, is very important for the side.

Speaking on the Vibe with Five podcast, the former defender claimed that Heaton was “huge” for the club.

The United academy product re-joined the club in 2021 when leaving Aston Villa.

Ferdinand, who was at the club when Heaton was a youth product claimed, “Tom Heaton is going to be a Scott Carson. In terms of value in the changing room, he (Pep Guardiola) said ‘Scott Carson is huge for them'”.

“Tom Heaton would probably fall into that category. He must be.”

Whilst there is logic to the idea that a 37 year old solid professional like the goalkeeper must be a good influence on the dressing room, it is hard to see where a player who has only represented the side three times in his career can be spoken of in such glowing terms.

Heaton moved away from United in 2010 after never having made an appearance for the first team.

He would later go on to have a successful Premier League career playing for the likes of Burnley and Aston Villa.

He would even go on to make three appearances for the English national team due to the calibre of his performances.

The English goalkeeper put in a sensational performance at Old Trafford in 2016, but in the claret and blue of Burnley.

According to premierleague.com , “Jose Mourinho’s side had 37 efforts on goal, only for Heaton to produce a series of stunning saves”.

The Chester-born keeper would have to wait until December 2021 to make his official bow for the club in a Champions League dead-rubber game against Young Boys, when he came on as a second-half substitute.

Heaton would make his first ever start for the Red Devils against Charlton in the Carabao Cup in 2022 and also his second, and last to date, at home to Nottingham Forest in the league cup semi-final second leg in 2023.

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The current United squad is reeling under the weight of injuries with over 16 players injured at one point with the club even forced to conduct an internal enquiry into the matter.

One position that had been fortunate enough to not suffer any injury-enforced setback was in goal but now even that is changing after Andre Onana picked up a knock during Cameroon’s World Cup qualifying win over Mauritius on Friday.

Onana injury update

As per The Athletic, the Cameroonian federation have now confirmed that the United No 1 will miss their upcoming game against Libya and will be returning to Manchester.

The former Inter Milan star was substituted with ten minutes left to play and the forecast from the tests conducted seem to indicate an injury to the pubis.

Once the shot-stopper is back at Carrington, United will conduct further tests to find out the exact severity and whether this will force the keeper to miss multiple games.

“Tests later revealed an injury to the pubis, one of the three bones that make up the pelvis, the federation said.

“He won’t play a part when Cameroon take on Libya in Benghazi in a World Cup qualifier on Tuesday and is instead returning to Manchester where he will undergo further testing.

“It remains to be seen whether he will be fit enough to return to action for United next weekend. United are next in action against Everton on Sunday in the Premier League.”

Bayindir waiting in the wings

Onana has not enjoyed the best of debut campaigns and had committed several high-profile errors, both in the Premier League and Champions League with multiple pundits and former stars calling for Ten Hag to drop him.

The 27-year-old seems to be regaining his form somewhat in recent weeks and a long-term absence will be a big miss for United with Ten Hag relying on the keeper’s passing ability to help United play out from the back.

United have Altay Bayindir as a reserve keeper with the Turkish star joining the club in the summer. He is yet to make his debut but Onana recently claimed that he is one of the best backup keepers he has ever trained with.

United also have Tom Heaton waiting in the wings but Ten Hag will be hoping his former Ajax compatriot can make it for the game against the Toffees.

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Many Manchester United fans will be dreaming of a busy winter window that will kick-start their season domestically and abroad.

However, the major stories from transfer windows are not always about who your clubs brings in, but also on who they decide to cut ties with.

Man United have seven players who have contracts ending in June 2024 and face an uncertain future beyond the end of the current campaign.

The Mirror has drawn attention to the players that could be moving on to new pastures in the summer. One rule of the transfer window is that “any player looking to move from one English team to another as a free agent can only open talks after entering the final month of their previous contract”. However, they can negotiate with foreign clubs from the January previous to the expiry date of their deal.

Safe in this knowledge, let’s take a look to see which of the seven Red Devils may opt for this route.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka

The Mirror are downbeat on Wan-Bissaka’s chances of staying at the club. They sum him up as a player who has “veered from dependable player to a lightning rod for fan criticism”. The publication believes it is unlikely he will be offered a new deal. At the start of the season the English fullback seemed a shoe-in for a new contract but things on that front have certainly cooled down of late.

Consequently, The Peoples Person has reported that Ten Hag is interested in bringing in his own right back but many would argue that Wan-Bissaka may provide more effective backup than Diogo Dalot. Additionally, Wan-Bissaka would most certainly be of interest to English teams such as West Ham, so it is improbable that he would lack attractive offers from mid table Premier League clubs if United decide not to renew his deal. Unlikely to go.

Victor Lindelof

The Swede is another name that could depart the club in the summer. The Swedish captain has had plenty of admirers from abroad such as Atletico Madrid, so if he were to desire a new challenge, he would have numerous options as a free agent. However, Lindelof has already played 15 times for the club this season due to the defensive injury crisis and even scored the winning goal against Luton. Nonetheless, Victor may fall down the pecking order as United have been linked to many new central defenders including Jean-Clair Todibo, so the Swedish defender may choose this path, as he is certainly the most sought after of the seven. Likely to go abroad

Antony Martial

The French forward is probably a much clearer case. While Wan-Bissaka and Lindelof remain relatively popular players where you could envision a future back-up role at the club, Martial does not enjoy this reputation among supporters. The Frenchman has been heavily critiqued and has seemingly lost largely everything that made him winner of the Golden Boy award in 2015. Not many English clubs would be willing to sign the attacker but as long as he asked for sensible wages, a list of European clubs would most likely be attracted to him. The Peoples Person recently stated that Inter Milan and PSG are among such teams. Likely to go abroad

Hannibal Mejbri

The 20 year old Tunisian Mejbri is enjoying something of a breakthrough year, having played 5 times already for the Red Devils in this campaign and also having scored a wonder goal against Brighton in September. United do have an option to extend for a year and it is hard to see them not at least taking up this option. The Tunisian is hot-tempered and still has much to learn but it is unlikely that club or player are willing to give up on each other yet. Unlikely to go just yet

Jonny Evans

The Northern Irishman was a surprise signing during the summer but like Lindelof, has had to fill in more than he had probably anticipated due to the injury-ravaged defensive department. Despite admirably deputising, future summer signings at centre back, again like Lindelof, will most likely see Evans leave the club. He could decide to retire as he had contemplated before joining United or play for a lower division English team. Likely to go, but not abroad

Tom Heaton

The 37 year old keeper saw the arrival of two new keepers in the summer and has not played yet this season. The United academy graduate almost joined Luton Town in August but this deal collapsed. Heaton will most definitely leave unless offered some sort of coaching job, but again, he is unlikely to try and secure a deal abroad at this point in his career. Likely to go but not abroad

Alvaro Fernandez

The young Spanish left back will probably have developed the taste for first team football. Last season he played 42 times for Preston in the Championship and has been a regular for Granada in La Liga this year. He is highly rated at United and it is likely the club would love to tie him down to a new contract. However, with Luke Shaw, Tyrell Malacia and possibly even Sergio Reguilon potentially in front of him, he may not have the patience to wait for his chance. Especially as the youngster is from Spain, he could well try and pursue a move to his homeland or elsewhere in the winter. Likely to go abroad

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The United Foundation made a weekend appeal for individuals to contribute coats meant to support underprivileged families through the winter period.

The Red Devils urged their supporters to “give unwanted clean adult and children’s coats to the Foundation, which will redistribute them to those accessing its community and education programmes, as well as local poverty charities in Greater Manchester.”

Ahead of his side’s clash against Brentford, Erik ten Hag was pictured donating a coat to the club’s charitable arm through John Shiels, who is its chief executive.

Erik ten Hag donates his coat to the @MU_Foundation #mufc pic.twitter.com/AgUkVmy2lb

— Samuel Luckhurst (@samuelluckhurst) October 6, 2023

Ten Hag emphasized the importance of giving back to society and lending a helping hand to those who are less fortunate.

The Dutchman also pledged his continued support to the campaign and what it stands for.

Chris Wheeler of the Daily Mail reports that the Dutchman’s players followed his example and did the same.

It’s understood that the drive was extremely successful as supporters of both United and Brentford also chipped in massively.

The Red Devils hosted Brentford at Old Trafford on Saturday. The game ended in a 2-1 win for United after Scott McTominay’s late heroics completed a sensational comeback for Ten Hag’s men.

“Goalkeeper Tom Heaton had enough to fill a bin bag and Marcus Rashford donated one by Japanese fashion brand BAPE worth hundreds of pounds.”

“The coats will be distributed among young people and their families across Greater Manchester as well as some in Ukraine.”

“The foundation is investing £100,000 to buy additional hats, gloves and scarves that will help people in deprived areas through the winter.”

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Dean Henderson’s permanent departure from Manchester United had been more or less assumed heading into the summer transfer window.

After Nottingham Forest took him on loan last season, Henderson had said that he was “fuming” at his parent club for “wasting” a year of his career.

His desire for first team football along with his willingness to burn bridges at United seemed to make his exit little more than a formality.

But things can change quickly in football and, according to 90mins, Dean Henderson is now set to stay at Old Trafford.

Despite impressing at Forest last term, the Midlands side have opted to sign Matt Turner from Arsenal instead.

At the time, it was thought that the club would still be back in for Henderson, such was their appreciation of his performances before his season-ending injury in January.

But, as reported by The Peoples Person, it has been a long road to recovery and, at one stage, fears that he would fail a medical were suggested as a possible reason for the delay of a permanent switch.

Injuries reared their ugly head again on the eve of the Premier League season, this time for Tom Heaton, who suffered a calf injury that will leave him unavailable for a few weeks.

With no senior backup to Andre Onana besides Henderson, and waning interest from Nottingham Forest, it seems that the academy graduate will not be getting his transfer this summer.

He has, according to 90mins, been “told in no uncertain terms” that he will be playing second fiddle to Erik ten Hag’s £42m summer signing in the event that no club matches United’s asking price this month. In essence, he has been sent to the bench.

That price is thought to be in excess of £20m, with reports from earlier in the window suggesting it may have been as much as £30m including performance-related bonuses. Given his bumper £120,000-a-week contract and recent injury issues, that would be something of a coup for Manchester United.

Whether Henderson manages to move in this window or not, it seems highly unlikely that he will have a long term future at the club. He may well feature in cup matches under Erik ten Hag for this season (or, at least, part of it), but the Englishman is unhappy with his situation and likely to cause problems somewhere down the line.

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While Andre Onana has clearly emerged as Manchester United’s first-choice goalkeeper following the departure of David de Gea, the question remains of what to do about backup option Dean Henderson.

Man United has a packed schedule given the team’s inclusion in the Champions League, thus making it possible for Henderson to appear in the odd match this season.

It’s reasonable to believe that Onana would most likely be relied upon in the league as well as in Europe, meaning that domestic cup games could prove to be an opportunity for a backup goalkeeper to get some exposure.

Still, is Henderson the right backup keeper to stand between the sticks for United during this season’s League Cup and FA Cup ties?

As Nottingham Forest’s first-choice keeper during his loan deal last season, there’s no question that Henderson has amassed a wealth of experience that has prepared him to up against top-tier opposition in cup games.

Still, Erik ten Hag as well as the club may have reservations when it comes to providing the 26-year-old with playing opportunities given his disciplinary record.

Henderson has been outspoken when it comes to his criticism of United, particularly during his loan spell.

Upon joining Forest on loan last season, the English goalkeeper criticized his parent club for keeping him on the bench in favour of playing De Gea, going so far as to say, “To sit there for 12 months, it is criminal really, at my age.”

In addition to being disrespectful toward United if not arrogant, Henderson’s comments also showed a lack of perspective, given that De Gea had been the club’s first-choice goalkeeper for the better part of the decade, even winning the Premier League title with the Red Devils in 2013.

In the same breath, fellow backup Tom Heaton, who has been uncontroversial, has gained favour with the club, with Ten Hag asking him to remain at Old Trafford this season should there be any incoming bids for the player.

Beyond the idea of not allowing bad behaviour to be rewarded, United would also do well to sell Henderson as soon as possible in order to raise the funds necessary to pursue transfer targets such as midfielder Sofyan Amrabat, who the club is still intent on signing ahead of the transfer deadline.

Fiorentina is reportedly looking for €30 million for the player, and Henderson’s sale could go a long way in funding the purchase of the Moroccan star especially if Forest are willing to pay the €20 million that United are looking for.

Also important to note is that Henderson is believed to favour a move to Forest as opposed to another season at Old Trafford, and a club of United’s stature should not hold onto a player who doesn’t want to play for the badge.

Even if Henderson is a capable backup option who could cover for Onana during cup games, it makes more sense for United to find a way to offload the player in order to bring in signings such as Amrabat – a much higher priority.

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