Erik ten Hag insists Man United NEED three experienced keepers if they are to compete on all fronts

Erik ten Hag has warned that not having three experienced goalkeepers could ‘kill’ Manchester United’s season as they prepare to sign Jack Butland from Crystal Palace.

Butland is set to complete his move to Old Trafford to replace Martin Dubravka, who was released from his United loan by Newcastle.

Ten Hag also has Tom Heaton as back-up to number 1 David de Gea, but says he cannot afford to take risks should his goalkeepers suffer an injury.

Erik ten Hag warns that not having three experienced goalkeepers could ‘kill’ Man United’s season

“Martin (Dubravka) was called up and now we need three experienced goalkeepers,” Ten Hag said.

“We have some youngsters and they do well, but we have a lot of games so you need three good goalkeepers in training, but also when problems come you need goalkeeping experience to get what you want.”

‘What he (Butland) brings, I’m very happy with David, it’s pretty clear. He is our number 1, he has a really good performance, but there is always something that can happen with David too, and you have to be ready for that.

Jack Butland is set to complete his move to Old Trafford to replace Martin Dubravka

Butland have not featured in the Premier League for Crystal Palace so far this season

“Last year I had a situation with Ajax where we had three goalkeepers injured and you don’t want a situation where hopefully you’re playing for trophies and you have to put in a young goalkeeper.”

‘You can’t expect it from a young goalkeeper, but it can also kill your season. That’s what you want to be prepared for.

Butland has not featured in the Premier League for the Eagles so far this season and has made just 10 league appearances since moving to the London club in 2020.

He has missed most of the current campaign with a broken finger and trails Vicente Guaita as Palace’s No. 1 goalkeeper.

Ten Hag have reiterated that David de Gea remains their number 1 goalkeeper with Tom Heaton as their backup.

However, the goalkeeper, who still has a home in Manchester from his time with Stoke, is fit again and could sign in time for his FA Cup debut against Everton on Friday or United’s Carabao Cup clash. against Charlton next week.

Butland was Stoke’s first-choice goalkeeper for two seasons during their Premier League spell, becoming the youngest goalkeeper to play for England when he made his national team debut in 2012, aged 19 years and 158 days.

He would go on to win four caps for the Three Lions and be part of the squads for both Euro 2012 and the 2018 World Cup.