Man United sign goalkeeper Heaton, hand Mata new contract

MANCHESTER United announced two new deals on Friday as the Premier League club continue their preparations for next season.

The club brought back goalkeeper Tom Heaton and extended Juam Mata’s stay.

“Manchester United is delighted to confirm the signing of Tom Heaton,” the club stated on their official website.

“The England international goalkeeper has agreed a contract until June 2023, with the option for a further year.

“It marks a return to United for the 35-year-old, who spent 13 years at the club as a youngster.

He has three caps for his country and has also had permanent spells with Cardiff City, Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa.”

Heaton completed the United switch on a free transfer after his contract at Aston Villa expired.

“For me to have the opportunity to come back after spending 13 great years here as a kid, it’s an incredible feeling and I’m really, really excited to get started,” Heaton said.

“I’m just seeing it as a fantastic opportunity as I still feel I’ve got an awful lot to give and I’ve got the bit between my teeth.

“I’m looking forward to hitting the ground running. I feel in great shape and I’m looking forward to coming in to compete with the other goalkeepers.”

The club had confirmed Mata’s new deal moments before the Heaton announcement.

“Manchester United is delighted to announce Juan Mata has agreed a one-year contract, keeping him at Old Trafford until June 2022,” the statement read.

“The 33-year-old completed a transfer from Premier League rivals Chelsea in January 2014 and has since made 273 appearances as a Red, scoring 51 goals in the process.

“His impressive tally of strikes includes a memorable brace against Liverpool at Anfield in 2015 and an all-important equaliser in the victorious 2016 Emirates FA Cup final versus Crystal Palace.

Dubbed a magician on the pitch and a gentleman off it, Mata has become one of the most popular players in recent United history and he is highly respected by all of his team-mates.

“The World Cup winner’s influence on Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s young, improving squad is invaluable and the manager continues to be a huge supporter of the fleet-footed Spaniard.”

Last season, Mata made only 18 appearances, mostly as a substitute but United claimed this was partly due to personal circumstances.

However, he still won Mata’s the club’s Player of the Month award, alongside Edinson Cavani, Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw last season.