Tom Heaton is poised to sign a one-year contract extension to remain at Manchester United for a sixth season. The veteran goalkeeper’s presence in the squad is set to help the club meet a Champions League requirement.
Homegrown Quota
UEFA rules mandate that every squad must have at least eight ‘association-trained’ players in the 25-man list. At least four of these players must be ‘club-trained’. To qualify as club-trained, a player must have spent three continuous seasons at that club between the ages of 15 and 21.
Only Heaton, Luke Shaw and Amad would fit the bill as club-trained. Kobbie Mainoo is able to be registered on List B under UEFA’s squad rules. Harry Maguire and Mason Mount would be classed as association-trained.
Goalkeeping Continuity
Heaton qualifies as a homegrown player, which will help United in filling that quota in the club’s 25-man squad for their return to the Champions League. Altay Bayindir is expected to leave Old Trafford this summer, and Andre Onana should follow him out of the exit door after spending the season on loan at Trabzonspor. This means Heaton will give United some continuity by remaining third-choice keeper.
Heaton’s Role
The former Burnley and England keeper turned 40 last month. He is considered a valuable member of the United dressing room and a standard-setter in training, despite not playing for the first-team in over three years. Heaton has also mentored Senne Lammens during the Belgian’s impressive maiden Premier League campaign.
Heaton was one of four players United used to fill their spots in the Europa League last season alongside young goalkeeper Dermot Mee, Jonny Evans and Marcus Rashford. Mee remains at the club, but Evans is now retired, while Rashford is likely to be sold this summer.
Heaton brings a wealth of experience to the dressing room and is a sounding board for captain Bruno Fernandes, while Casemiro praised his influence last.
Potential Departures
In terms of other homegrown prospects, Toby Collyer and Radek Vitek would qualify for United. Both players have spent the season out on loan in the Championship.
Vitek is keen to continue playing regularly after a stellar season with Bristol City. If United cannot persuade him to be their No 2, he should have no shortage of suitors this summer.
United could name less than the required eight homegrown players, but it would reduce the size of the squad they can submit. If they only included six players rather than eight, the squad would be capped at 23 rather than 25.