Manchester United set to extend Tom Heaton's contract for a second successive season

Manchester United are set to retain goalkeeper Tom Heaton for at least one more season, with The Sun reporting that an agreement has been reached on a new 12-month contract — the second successive one-year extension Heaton has signed at Old Trafford.

Heaton, who turns 40 this year, has made just three appearances since joining United in the summer of 2021, but his value to the club has never been measured in minutes played. His experience and presence in training have made him a respected figure in the dressing room, a point underlined by the words of Casemiro — who is himself leaving United when his contract expires this summer.

“He [Heaton] is very important. Very important for us,” Casemiro said on Rio Ferdinand’s YouTube channel. “He pushes the training, he pushes in the game, of course, he doesn’t play, but he pushes every time. For me, everyone needs this guy; he helps the room so much.”

The Brazilian’s departure will mark the end of a difficult chapter at Old Trafford, with Casemiro not expected to commit to a new deal. His exit leaves a significant gap in United’s midfield, one the club is already moving to address.

United have agreed a deal to sign Atalanta midfielder Ederson for a package worth £38.8 million — a £35 million upfront fee plus £3.8 million in add-ons. West Ham’s Mateus Fernandes has also been identified as a midfield target as the club prepares for a return to the Champions League.

All of this activity falls under the watch of Michael Carrick, who is preparing for his first full season as United’s permanent manager. Retaining Heaton, a player whose influence extends well beyond the pitch, appears to be one of the quieter but considered decisions of what promises to be a busy summer rebuild at Old Trafford.