Jack Butland signs for Manchester United on loan

_{^{(Photo by Matthew Peters/Manchester United via Getty Images)}}

Manchester United announced on Friday morning that Jack Butland has signed for the club on loan until the end of the 2022/23 season.

Butland, now 29-years-old, is well renowned for his time at Stoke City by many football fans. The English stopper made 157 domestic league appearances for The Potters, but swapped red and white for red and blue when he joined Crystal Palace in 2020. He has largely been subjected to the bench at Selhurst Park, making just 10 league appearances.

With that being said, when the opportunity to join Manchester United came around, it was one that the Bristol-born man could not refuse; whilst he will play second fiddle to David De Gea for the remainder of the season, there will be opportunities to feature in the FA Cup and Carabao Cup, and perhaps even the Europa League, with The Reds capable of going far in all three.

Butland said: “This is an amazing club and one that I am now proud to represent. I am really looking forward to working with an unbelievable goalkeeping group, supporting each other every day to create the best playing environment for the team”.

The January signing later noted how he had played against De Gea and has represented England alongside Tom Heaton, calling the pair “top-class keepers”.

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The acquisition of another goalkeeper became a priority for boss Erik ten Hag after Newcastle opted to recall Martin Dubravka back from his season-long loan spell. The Slovakian stopper played only twice for United, with both appearances coming in the Carabao Cup. Ten Hag told club media that “we had to react” following Dubravka’s departure, essentially stressing that it is better to be safer than sorry, with injuries and suspensions possible.

It can be expected that Butland will slot into the side on Tuesday 10^th in the Carabao Cup quarter-final against Charlton Athletic next week.

The club’s goalkeeping stance has confused Reds fans for many a year now, however. Supporters have questioned the need for 36-year-old Heaton, with United bringing in yet another goalkeeper to play second fiddle to De Gea. Nathan Bishop, 23, is another who seems to train with the first team all the time, but never gets a look in.

Butland has played 87 times in the Premier League and can boast 9 appearances for the England national team.

The shot-stopper will wear the no.31 shirt recently vacated by Dubravka and- before him- Nemanja Matic.