Edwin van der Sar sends message to Tom Heaton after he agrees Man United deal
Manchester United legend Edwin van der Sar has sent a message to Tom Heaton following the news he had signed a new one-year deal.
Heaton has only made three appearances since returning to Old Trafford for a second spell in 2021.
The 40-year-old is behind both Senne Lammens and Altay Bayindir in the pecking order at Man United, although he has made 115 Premier League appearances throughout his career.
Stability is key though at Man United as they look to strengthen their squad under Michael Carrick, and Heaton can provide much-needed experience in the dressing room.
Heaton is not expected to play for Man United next season, but the club have praised his professionalism and support to Lammens and Bayindir.
Tom Heaton could break Edwin van der Sar record
Man United announced the news on their Instagram channel, with Heaton pictured signing his new contract.
The Red Devils captioned the post, “one more year,” alongside a red love heart emoji.
Former goalkeeper van der Sar responded by jokingly asking Heaton, “you want to break my record Tom?”
Van der Sar became the oldest winner of the Premier League at Man United aged 40, and Heaton could break that record if the club wins the title next season.
Heaton’s former manager at Burnley, Sean Dyche, also sent a message to the goalkeeper: “My first ever signing at Burnley.
“I got hammered for it. He went on to play for England and captain the Burnley side to win the Championship and then never came out of the prem. Some fella."
Meanwhile, former Man United and Chelsea midfielder Nemanja Matic wrote, “right man at the right place” whilst teammates Bruno Fernandes, Bryan Mbeumo and Kobbie Mainoo all liked the post.
Man United take new stance in Marcus Rashford talks
Man United do not intend to make any changes to their goalkeeping ranks this season, with Lammens having impressed in-between the sticks during his first year at Old Trafford.
Carrick is likely to make changes further up the pitch, with Marcus Rashford likely to depart following a loan spell at Barcelona.
Sources have told Football Insider that Man United could agree a cut-price deal with Barcelona this summer for the sale of Rashford, as the Red Devils want to get the forward off their wage bill.
Man United have been reluctant to agree a deal with Barcelona below their £26million asking price, but Rashford is keen to stay in Spain and has no intentions of returning to Old Trafford under Carrick.