Manchester United boss Erik Ten Hag has hinted the club want increased keeper competition amid links to Rangers target Jack Butland and Brentford stopper David Raya.
The Dutch manager has steered the Red Devils to a Champions League finish in the Premier League and has been talking about the goalkeeper position ahead of the summer.
In doing so, the Old Trafford boss confirmed that current number one David de Gea will be at the club next season despite much conjecture over a new contract.
“Yes, but I will not say he’ll always be my No 1 because in a club like Man United there must be competition in all positions,” Erik Ten Hag told the Times.
“You can’t do it with 11 players. It is impossible. You need double positions.”
Man United boss gives nothing away on Jack Butland
Ten Hag failed to confirm the situation surrounding Rangers-linked Crystal Palace loanee Jack Butland, whose contract expires at Selhurst Park when his loan deal at United does this summer.
Rangers have been extensively linked with a move for Butland, the Ibrox side reportedly targeting the stopper to replace Allan McGregor who is set to leave the club next month.
There have also been several reports claiming that Man United could interrupt the Rangers links to Butland but, as things stand, it remains unclear if that is the Premier League side’s intention.
With De Gea picking up the English top flight’s Golden Glove, there are numerous reports that United want the Spaniard to sign a new contract on reduced wages.
There have also been extensive links to Brentford goalkeeper David Raya, with Bees manager Thomas Frank claiming it will take £40m to sign the club’s number one this summer.
What is clear however, is that Manchester United do want strong competition in position and, from a Rangers perspective, until Butland is announced reports surrounding the Red Devils will linger.
Ibrox manager Michael Beale has previously claimed that a deal to sign a goalkeeper is edging closer to completion, with an announcement expected in the coming days.
There are also several goalkeepers coming back to Old Trafford this summer, with the likes of Dean Henderson returning from Nottingham Forest and Matej Kovar from Sparta Prague.
