Rangers ready to pluck Man Utd star whose inevitable exit will force Ten Hag into the market

A Man Utd star is one of three candidates who’ve been linked with displacing a Rangers icon and the Red Devil is understood to be the ‘preferred target’ of sporting director Ross Wilson, per reports.

Manchester United were content to sanction just a trio of loan signings last month. Among them was Jack Butland who arrived until the end of the season from Crystal Palace.

Butland’s move only arose after Newcastle recalled Martin Dubravka six months early. Butland joined Tom Heaton in providing back-up to David de Gea.

However, Butland’s loan does not contain an option to buy and his parent contract at Palace is also due to expire in the summer. Per Football Insider, the Eagles will make ‘no attempt’ to offer an extension.

His dual exit from both Palace and Man Utd will leave both clubs with holes to fill in their squads. The latter could simply aim to keep Nottingham Forest loanee Dean Henderson in their ranks, though an explosive interview with talkSPORT suggests he sees his future elsewhere.

A club the size of United will not run the risk of entering a campaign with only two senior stoppers. As such, when Butland does leave Old Trafford, Ten Hag will be forced into the market for a second or third choice stopper.

Now, per Football Insider, Butland may not have to wait long before securing his next club.

Butland to follow Joe Hart path?

The online outlet state a move north of the border to Scottish giant Rangers could take place.

Rangers’ current No 1 is club icon Allan McGregor. The 41-year-old is still going strong, though speculation is beginning to swirl the current campaign could be his last.

McGregor is off contract in the summer and if Rangers don’t offer a new deal, McGregor’s decision will be made for him.

FI report Rangers are ‘plotting to sign’ Butland who’ll be available on a free. He’s understood to have been on the radar at Ibrox for some time and is reportedly the preferred target of sporting director of Ross Wilson.

From the player’s perspective, Butland is deemed ‘keen’ on the move that could reignite his career as joining Celtic has done for Joe Hart.

Butland is still only 29, though hasn’t been a regular starter at his various clubs since the 2019-20 campaign with Stoke.

VitalRangers acknowledge the Butland links, though also stress Norwich City’s Angus Gunn and Shamal George of Livingston are contenders to succeed McGregor too.

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