MANCHESTER UNITED stars believe the solution to their goalkeeping problem is 39-year-old third-choice Tom Heaton.
Some of the first-team squad think Heaton has outperformed No1 Andre Onana and No2 Altay Bayindir in training and should be given a chance between the posts.
United’s goalkeeping position has been a cause for concern ever since the Red Devils splashed out £43million on Onana from Inter Milan in 2023.
Since being brought in to replace David De Gea, Onana has experienced ups and downs, keeping 24 clean sheets but also making a string of high-profile errors.
Amorim started the season with No2 Bayindir in goal for the first Premier League game of the season against Arsenal, but he committed a costly error leading to United’s 1-0 defeat.
Bayindir also played in United’s 1-1 draw against Fulham last week but struggled with crosses – before dropping the ball to allow Burnley to make it 2-2 at Old Trafford this weekend before Bruno Fernandes’ dramatic late penalty winner.
Meanwhile on Wednesday, Onana was at fault for both Grimsby goals and was also criticised for getting his glove on five of the Mariners’ penalties but failing to stop any of them, with United losing 12-11 in the shootout.
Now sources have told SunSport that Heaton, who has made just three senior appearances at Old Trafford since returning to the club in 2021, should be given a chance.
They said: “Judging it on performances on the training pitch, some of the lads think Tom deserves a chance.
“He’s very experienced, looks after himself and is a key member of the squad.
“The other two are both struggling at the moment, so why not give Tom a go?”
Heaton was a youth player at United from 2002 to 2005 and officially a senior player from 2005 to 2010.
During this first stint, he did not make any first-team appearances, and was sent on several loan spells before returning as back-up in 2021.
He is one of six first-team players to make up Amorim’s leadership group, responsible for policing the rest of the dressing room.
Amorim defended Onana in the wake of the Carabao Cup defeat, saying: “It’s not about Andre. It’s not the goalkeeper. It’s more than that. He’s everybody.”
United have held talks over signing £17m Royal Antwerp goalkeeper Senne Lammens.
Onana revealed in the summer he was determined to stay at United and fight for his place.
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