MX23RW : Saturday, December 14 11:59:18| >> :60:205:205:

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

Erik ten Hag 'actively searching for new Man United goalkeeper'
© Reuters
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.

ID:491789:1false2false3false:QQ:: from db desktop :LenBod:collect5937:
Written by
Ben Knapton

Click here for more stories about Erik ten Hag

Click here for more stories about Manchester United

Collect / Create New Data
Share this article now:
Manchester United's Jadon Sancho celebrates scoring against Liverpool on July 12, 2022
Read Next:
Manchester United 2022-23 season preview - prediction, summer signings, star player
>
Sports Mole Logo
Enter your email address to subscribe to Sports Mole's free match previews newsletter! Updates are sent twice a week.
rhs 2.0
Today's games header
Tables header RHS
TeamPWDLFAGDPTS
1Liverpool14112129111835
2Chelsea1594235181731
3Arsenal1585229151429
4Manchester CityMan City158342721627
5Nottingham ForestNott'm Forest157441918125
6Aston Villa157442323025
7Brighton & Hove AlbionBrighton156632522324
8Bournemouth157352320324
9Brentford157263128323
10Fulham156542220223
11Tottenham HotspurSpurs1562731191220
12Newcastle UnitedNewcastle155551921-220
13Manchester UnitedMan Utd155461918119
14West Ham UnitedWest Ham155372028-818
15Everton143561421-714
16Leicester CityLeicester153572130-914
17Crystal Palace152761420-613
18Ipswich TownIpswich151681427-139
19Wolverhampton WanderersWolves1523102338-159
20Southampton1512121131-205


Sports Mole provides in-depth previews and predictions for every match from the biggest leagues and competitions in world football.
Argentina's Lionel Messi kisses the World Cup trophy after collecting the Golden Ball award on December 18, 2022Sign up for our FREE daily preview newsletter direct to your inbox!