39-year-old goalkeeper set for new one-year deal despite limited playing time
Manchester United are set to reward long-serving goalkeeper Tom Heaton with a new one-year contract that will see him remain at the club past the age of 40.
The veteran, who turns 40 in April 2026, has not made a single Premier League appearance since returning to Old Trafford in 2021 but remains a trusted presence in Ruben Amorim’s squad.
Despite his lack of on-field action, Heaton’s influence behind the scenes has convinced United’s hierarchy to retain him purely as a player for now, though discussions about a future coaching role have also taken place.
The move comes as United clear out veteran players Jonny Evans, Victor Lindelof, and Christian Eriksen as free agents. Heaton’s extension appears to buck that trend, which may be a sign of Ruben Amorim’s confidence in his experience.
United’s summer rebuild is in full flow. They have added Wolves’ Matheus Cunha to their attacking ranks and are preparing a second bid for Brentford’s Bryan Mbeumo. The club have also approached the representatives of Sporting’s Viktor Gyokeres.
Other much younger players than Heaton expected to leave United this summer include Alejandro Garnacho, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Antony.
