Man Utd ‘heavily’ involved in surprise signing that would guarantee outspoken star is axed

Man Utd are ramping up their interest in a left-field signing of a player who’s ‘among the best’ in his league, and a move would all but guarantee an outspoken star’s time is up.

The goalkeeping position has and will continue to come under the microscope at Old Trafford in the coming months.

The Athletic recently claimed David de Gea is in line for a new extension that’ll cement his place as Man Utd’s undisputed No 1.

Elsewhere, Tom Heaton and Jack Butland currently provide back-up for the Spanish ace.

Heaton’s current deal is due to expire at the end of the campaign, though United do hold an option to trigger an extra 12 months.

Butland, meanwhile, was signed in January after Newcastle recalled Martin Dubravka six months early. Butland is unlikely to join United outright at season’s end and could leave Palace too.

His contract at Selhurst Park will conclude in June and per Football Insider, a new contract won’t be offered. A move north of the border to Scottish giant Rangers has been mooted.

As such, Ten Hag could be left with just De Gea and Heaton heading into the next season, as well as Nottingham Forest loanee Dean Henderson.

However, the 25-year-old seemingly does not view his long-term future at Old Trafford if his explosive comments in pre-season are anything to go by.

The stopper explained to talkSPORT why he was “fuming” at Man Utd after labelling the way he was treated as “criminal”.

The Telegraph’s James Ducker is insistent United must ‘sell well’ if Ten Hag is to be given the war-chest he requires this summer. An obvious first-team star they could axe is Henderson, and Forest already look a natural fit.

That’ll leave Ten Hag with a vacancy among his goalkeeping ranks. A club the size of United cannot run the risk of entering a season with just two senior goalkeepers in their ranks.

Now, according to American journalist Tom Bogert, United may have found the solution in MLS.

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MLS stand-out can facilitate Henderson exit

The B/R Football reporter tweeted Man Utd are ‘heavily scouting New England Revolution and Serbia international goalkeeper Djordje Petrovic.’

The 23-year-old only moved to the Revolution in April of 2022, though has quickly established himself as ‘among the best GKs in MLS’, per Bogert. Indeed, he was a finalist for the league’s top goalkeeper of the season award last term.

Bogert stressed official contact between United and New England hasn’t yet opened. However, United are certainly keeping a close eye on the player and given the league he’d be arriving from, isn’t likely to cost a huge sum.

The Manchester Evening News add to Bogert’s report, claiming if United act on their interest, a ‘summer move’ is possible.

That would coincide with when United will be making a decision on the future of Henderson.

There is no option to buy in his loan deal with Forest, meaning any permanent move will have to be negotiated from scratch.

If Steve Cooper’s side do push for another deal, Petrovic could be the man United choose to fill the void as one of De Gea’s two deputies.

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