Crystal Palace's Jack Butland joined Manchester United with club looking for new back-up option; David de Gea's current deal runs out at the end of the season, with United holding the option of a one-year extension, but there have been talks over a longer-term contract
Friday 6 January 2023 10:54, UK
Manchester United have signed goalkeeper Jack Butland from Crystal Palace on loan until the end of the season.
It is understood United will pay his wages in full for the time Butland spends at Old Trafford.
Butland told the club's website: "This is an amazing club and one that I am now proud to represent.
"I'm really looking forward to working with an unbelievable goalkeeping group, supporting each other every day to create the best training and playing environment for the team."
The 29-year-old, who was part of England's 2018 World Cup squad, is yet to make an appearance for the Eagles this season and is thought to be keen on the idea of a move to United.
United are currently looking to bring in extra competition for De Gea after Martin Dubravka returned to Newcastle, leaving Tom Heaton as the club's second-choice keeper, with the 36-year-old named on the bench for Tuesday night's win over Bournemouth.
Borussia Monchengladbach's Yann Sommer is someone United have scouted for a while, but any move for the 34-year-old would be unlikely if De Gea signs a new deal.
The 32-year-old Spain international has expressed his wish to stay at Manchester United for the rest of his career as talks over a new contract continue.
De Gea's current deal runs out at the end of the season, with United holding the option of a one-year extension, but there have been talks over a longer-term contract.
"I'm very relaxed," De Gea said when asked about his contract situation. "I just focus on training, perform as best as I can. But, for sure, it's going to end in a good way.
"I hope [to stay for the rest of my career]. I was saying this is my club, I've been here many, many years and it's a huge honour to be here and I'm so happy here."
De Gea showed his importance to United again in Tuesday night's win over Bournemouth as he made key saves from Philip Billing and Jaidon Anthony to keep the score at 2-0 before Marcus Rashford got United's third to seal the win.
Another clean sheet means United have not conceded at home in the league since their 3-1 win over Arsenal in September - a record which will next be tested by Manchester City when they visit on January 14 following FA Cup and Carabao Cup fixtures.
"That's how it should be to come here - it should be a tough place for the teams, let's see in the future," De Gea said.
"We are playing really well, we have to keep the momentum as much as we can and prepare every game as a final and recover well. We have to recover really well because we play a lot of games [this month]."
That defensive record has been key to United's surge up the table since they began the season with back-to-back defeats.
"We were talking, everyone is ready, everyone is focused, everyone is training really well, everyone is in the same direction, so this is massive," De Gea said when asked what has changed from last season.
"It doesn't matter who is playing. Even the substitutes, it doesn't matter who came in, they put everything on the pitch, we have great team spirit and for me it's great to see the players play in this way."
United stayed in fourth on Tuesday after Newcastle's draw at Arsenal, but are level on points with the Magpies and only one behind City ahead of their trip to Chelsea on Thursday.
With 13 wins from the last 16 in all competitions, their form is a match for anyone - a testament to the impact Erik ten Hag has had this season.
"He's doing well," De Gea said. "He puts every player in the same direction and we feel like a proper team. Everyone wants to win, everyone wants to play for this club and that's massive.
"He brought a great spirit to the team, we are playing really well and this is the way we have to show and keep the momentum as well."
De Gea also revealed Ten Hag's exacting standards when asked about the manager's verdict on what proved to be a comfortable victory.
"He was happy with the clean sheet, but at the same time he was a bit angry because we conceded too many chances," De Gea said. "We were too open at the end of the game, so he was a bit angry."
Who will be on the move this winter? The January transfer window opened on Sunday January 1, 2023 and closes at 11pm on Tuesday January 31, 2023.
Keep up-to-date with all the latest transfer news and rumours in our dedicated Transfer Centre blog on Sky Sports' digital platforms. You can also catch up with the ins, outs and analysis on Sky Sports News.
