(Football news) Erik ten Hag confirmed that they are signing goalkeeper Jack Butland as back-up to first-choice David de Gea. Butland is set to arrive from Crystal Palace after Newcastle United had recalled Martin Dubravka from his season-long loan at Old Trafford. It is believed that United still remain in the market for a striker in January following Cristiano Ronaldo’s departure as the likes of Joao Felix, Olivier Giroud, Eric Maxim Choupo-Moting, Memphis Depay and Alvaro Morata are among the candidates but, as it stands, Ten Hag is look to operate with Anthony Martial and Marcus Rashford as his two recognised strikers in his squad.
Butland is yet to play in the Premier League this season after picking up a fractured finger, but he did return to the Palace bench for their Boxing Day defeat against Fulham. The 29-year-old did well to slot in for Vicente Guaita last season when he encountered his own fitness complaints as he kept three clean sheets and leaked only 18 goals in 15 appearances across all competitions. Therefore, Butland, who stands at a mammoth 6 foot 5 inches tall, should be an great deputy to De Gea as the second choice Manchester United keeper
It’s claimed that Erik ten Hag’s side will pay all of the England international’s £40,000-per-week wage and that the medical is scheduled to take place in the next 24 hours. Dubravka only made two appearances during his six-month stint at Old Trafford as both games came in the Carabao Cup, but he failed to impress on either occasion. Tom Heaton is the only other senior goalkeeper on United’s books, and Butland will look to add some more cover and competition between the sticks in the second half of the season. United now go on to face Everton at Old Trafford on Friday in the FA Cup third round match as they look to end a wait for a trophy which stretches almost back to 2017. Ten Hag’s team are still in the Carabao Cup and Europa League and have cemented their place in the top four after a run of four straight wins.
When asked about Butland’s potential arrival, Ten Hag told a news conference on Thursday: “Martin was recalled and we need three experienced goalkeepers. I’m really happy with David. It’s quite clear he’s our No. 1. He’s a really good performer but there’s always something that can happen with David as well and you have to be prepared for that so you don’t have one.”
“We always have to look for that [new signings] as we push the players because good is not good enough,” Ten Hag added. “We have to push each other and when there are opportunities, the club has to be ready for that. My main focus is to improve the team.We are in a good position. We are where we want to be but still, we go from game to game. We play in many competitions and the focus is from game to game. We don’t think too far ahead.”
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