Manchester United have an incredibly tough transfer decision to make as they enter talks with Tom Heaton over a 12-month contract extension.
Manchester United have multiple contract decisions to make before the 2026 summer transfer window opens.
While many of Michael Carrick's key men are penned down to long-term deals or due to sign new contracts, there are others whose deals expire at the end of June.
Kobbie Mainoo and Harry Maguire are two players the club are in talks with to extend their current deals, with both players expected to pen new contracts in the coming months.
However, the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Lisandro MartÃnez have only one further season left on their current deals, while some on loan, like Jadon Sancho, have their contracts expire at the end of the campaign.
United in talks to extend Heaton deal
Third-choice goalkeeper Tom Heaton is a player almost no one talks about, but his impact in the squad is spoken about in spades by those at Carrington.
Heaton has not appeared for United since a Carabao Cup semi-final against Nottingham Forest in early 2023, but was appointed to the squad's leadership group during the 2025 pre-season.
According to The Athletic, talks are now ongoing between Heaton and the club to extend his contract by a further 12 months, following a similar decision at the end of last season.
Heaton is known as an experienced motivator and sounding board for the younger members of the squad, and is reportedly very eager to work with other goalkeepers, making him an ace up the sleeve of any coach who works with him.
He will no doubt have had a significant impact on Senne Lammens' brilliant career so far at Red, and staying for a further season would be greatly appreciated by whoever is appointed as United's long-term head coach.
United have a tough goalkeeper decision to make
While Heaton now looks likely to remain with the club, it's almost certain that Altay Bayındır, the current second-choice behind Lammens, will depart. Rumours suggest that he may be headed back to his homeland of Tueky this summer.
Should Bayındır leave, United will need to appoint a deputy to Lammens, whether that be from within their own ranks or by securing a new goalkeeper from outside.
Regarding the possible opening, there is a big question mark hanging over the head of Radek Vitek, the United Academy goalkeeper who has had a stunning season on loan at Bristol City.
At 22, the 6'6" Czech has been a revelation in goal for the Championship side and is showing himself to be a brilliant young option within the English game, and to have him as a bench option at Old Trafford may not be a great idea.
Whoever comes in as the new manager, as well as those currently at United, will have to choose whether to loan him again, keep him in the squad as a second choice, or let Lammens and Vitek fight it out for the No. 1 spot next season.