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Jack Butland to undergo Manchester United medical TODAY ahead of surprise loan as Red Devils search for back-up for David De Gea following Martin Dubravka’s early return to Newcastle
Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland will undergo a medical on Thursday before being loaned out to Manchester United, according to reports.
United acted quickly by recruiting a backup goalkeeper for David De Gea after Newcastle recalled Martin Dubravka from his long stint at Old Trafford, leaving only Tom Heaton and Neil Bishop as their other options.
Sportsmail reported this week that the Red Devils were set to make a surprising offer for the former Stoke City goalkeeper, as Erik ten Hag looks to bring in more depth should something happen to Spaniard De Gea.
Jack Butland will seal a move to Manchester United on a six-month loan deal on Thursday
And now the athletic are reporting Butland will arrive for his medicals before joining Old Trafford until the end of the season on a six-month loan move.
The 29-year-old hasn’t played in the Premier League for the Eagles so far this season and has made just 10 appearances in the league since moving to the London club in 2020.
He has missed most of the current campaign with a broken finger, trailing Vicente Guaita as Palace’s number one goalkeeper.
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.
United were forced to hire a goalkeeper after Newcastle recalled Martin Dubravka
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.
The Eagles goalkeeper has just six months left on his current contract at Selhurst Park, but the club has the option to extend his stay for a further year.
Butland is the youngest goalkeeper to play for England. He has won four games with the Three Lions.
United are already said to be taking a look at longer-term goalkeeping targets, with David De Gea out of contract at the end of the season.
They have been linked with both Porto’s Diogo Costa and Borussia Mönchengladbach’s Yann Sommer as possible replacements.
In the meantime, the club decided not to call up Dean Henderson again, as they believed that it was in his best interest to continue his loan at Nottingham Forest.