Jack Butland undergoing Man United medical ‘in the next few hours’ as he prepares for loan move
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland is reportedly due to undergo his medical at Manchester United today as he is set to join the club on loan.
The 29-year-old former Birmingham and Stoke number one was one of England‘s most promising young goalkeepers and was named in the Three Lions squad as recently as the 2018 World Cup, but it’s fair to say his career hasn’t always gone as planned, having suffered from numerous injuries down the years.
Although these setbacks may have prevented him from a big move earlier, Butland has gone on to become somewhat of a journeyman in English football, with Palace being the eighth club he has played for before turning 30.
Nevertheless, while he isn’t currently the main man between the sticks for the London club, he is apparently on the verge of joining his biggest club yet as he prepares to become Man United‘s second goalkeeper.
As per journalist Guillermo Rai and leading sports outlet The Athletic, Butland will be completing his medical today (Thursday, 5 January) ahead of joining the Red Devils on a six-month loan deal, with Fabrizio Romano adding that the deal should be completed “in the next hours“.
This comes just four days on from parent club Newcastle United recalling previous second-rate keeper Martin Dúbravka halfway through his own loan deal and after just two appearances for the reds.
While United do have fellow veteran Tom Heaton in their goalkeeping ranks — who re-signed for the club as a free agent back in July after starting his career at Old Trafford nearly 20 years ago — he is also yet to make an appearance having not long recovered from a knee injury.
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With that in mind, once the contract is signed, it is likely that Butland will be the second keeper after David de Gea, who is once again enjoying a fine run of form, with Heaton third in the pecking order.
de Gea was flying high again on Tuesday night, helping United with some key saves in their 3-0 win over Bournemouth and grabbing his eighth clean sheet in the Premier League.
Erik ten Hag‘s team looks like it’s finally starting to take shape.
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Featured Image — Jack Butland (via IG)/Man United (Twitter)/David de Gea (via Twitter)