MANCHESTER UNITED are close to agreeing a loan move for Crystal Palace goalkeeper Jack Butland.
United need further goalkeeping cover after Martin Dubravka was recalled to Newcastle from his loan move at Old Trafford.
David De Gea is currently backed up by Tom Heaton and Nathan Bishop.
Butland is currently seeing his minutes blocked by Vicente Guaita despite Sam Johnstone being injured for Patrick Vieira’s Eagles.
The 29-year-old had a sparkling start to his career becoming the youngest goalkeeper to represent England at the age of 19 years 158 days back in August 2012, the first of nine caps
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The 6ft 5” Bristol born ‘keeper also represented the Great Britain Olympic squad that year.
He has also been named in two squads for major tournaments, the Euros in 2012 and the World Cup in 2018.
Having started his career at Birmingham City and then went on to make 169 appearances at Stoke City between 2013 and 2020.
He signed for Crystal Palace in October 2020 on a three year deal but has made only ten Premier League appearances for them since then.
He did, however, play a key role as the Selhurst Park club reached the FA Cup semi-finals last season.
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He has not played at all this season and not been a Premier League regular since Stoke's relegation in 2018.
Butland, is signed in time, could make his debut in United's FA Cup game versus Everton on Friday night or their game on January 10 in the Carabao Cup against Charlton.
Man Utd have been linked with a number of top goalkeepers such as Porto's Diogo Costa and Borussia Monchengladbach's Yann Sommer.
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But these are seen as potential De Gea replacements in the summer as his contract is set to expire and are reportedly unlikely to arrive in January.
