Harry Maguire ‘blocks’ Tom Heaton in new Man United training ground message
Tom Heaton and Harry Maguire were two of several players facing uncertain futures at Manchester United after last season.
Man United‘s defensive record was far from good last season and 54 goals conceded was the ninth-worst of any Premier League club, but only five clubs scored less than their meagre 44 at the other end.
Maguire even emerged as a makeshift striker for Ruben Amorim towards the back end of the campaign, and scored injury-time goals to win crucial knockout matches against Leicester and Lyon respectively.
Amorim is keen to bolster his frontline this summer and has secured the signature of Wolves’ Matheus Cunha, but United’s business has since become stagnant and they still lack sufficient attacking depth.
Maguire makes Heaton joke after Man United contract news
Man United’s incomings since the sigining of Cunha on 12 June have been limited to youth players Diego Leon and Enzo Kana-Biyik, but the Red Devils have also taken steps to tie down a veteran goalkeeper.
Heaton has only featured in three competitive fixtures since his return to Old Trafford from Aston Villa on a free transfer in 2021, but Man United still awarded the 39-year-old with a contract extension on 2 July.
The three-cap former England goalkeeper’s position in the pecking order is still unlikely to rise next term despite the erratic form of Andre Onana, but he’ll remain a fixture as part of the squad at Carrington.
Maguire is also one of United’s longest-serving players and joked with Heaton on his Instagram story (14 July), pretending to not let the goalkeeper into the training ground with the message: “Not today mate”.
Man United must rush through transfers after contract news
Football Insider Verdict
Heaton‘s one-year contract extension is seemingly the only piece of business Amorim has been able to conduct without a significant struggle this summer; when concerning exsiting members of his squad.
The Portuguese has ostracised five out-of-favour players at Old Trafford with a view to selling them all permanently this summer, but efforts to move on the likes of Marcus Rashford have been unsuccessful.
Rashford, Antony, Alejandro Garnacho, Tyrell Malacia and Jadon Sancho’s wages have proven to be a stumbling block in transfer negotiations this summer, and it remains to be seen if United will be able to reach a compromise for any of them.