Former Manchester City defender Nedum Onuoha believes Tom Heaton has re-joined Manchester United to be the number two goalkeeper, meaning either Dean Henderson or David De Gea will leave.
Heaton re-signed for the club on a free transfer last week after his Aston Villa contract expired at the end of last month, re-joining after leaving United in 2010 having come through the academy.
The former Burnley and England stopper has joined after Sergio Romero and Joel Pereira were released and he is expected to compete with both of United 's current keepers for a place in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's squad in the Premier League and Champions League next season.
But with Henderson and De Gea competing amongst themselves last season for the number one jersey, Onuoha thinks that Heaton has been brought in to cover whoever loses that battle and be the number two goalkeeper next season.
Speaking to ESPN FC, the former England Under-21 international said; "Tom Heaton has just signed for Manchester United.
“This is a guy who has come through the Manchester United academy. He was there at the start. He has played for Aston Villa and played a tonne of games in the Premier League.
“He has gone back there. He is somebody who might not be number one but I predict that he’ll be number two.
“It does seem like one of the goalkeepers will be going because I don’t think Heaton will be number three.”
Heaton hasn't played first-team football since picking up an injury in the 2019/20 season and then losing his place to Nick Pope at Burnley.
