Man Utd: 374-game star ready to replace De Gea at Old Trafford

Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton is ready to replace David de Gea if called upon, according to transfer insider Dean Jones.

This comes after the Spain international’s dreadful performance against Brentford on Saturday continued United’s wretched start to the season.

Following the opening day defeat at Brighton in Erik ten Hag’s first game in the Old Trafford dugout, the Dutchman would have been looking for a big response in west London.

But what he ultimately got was one of United’s worst ever performances in the Premier League era, with De Gea’s own display proving costly.

It was his mistake for Joshua Da Silva’s opening goal which set the tempo, although the Red Devils’ number one was partially at fault for Brentford’s second goal as well when his sloppy pass to Christian Eriksen allowed Mathias Jensen to nip in and make it 2-0.

Bee Mee and Bryan Mbeumo incredibly put the Londoners 4-0 up inside 35 minutes and had United staring down the barrel at their heaviest ever Premier League defeat, although an uneventful second half meant Brentford weren’t able to add to their tally.

Regardless, it was still a disastrous afternoon for United and De Gea, whose own showing prompted him to personally request to speak to the media and apologise for the part he played in the defeat.

Jones reckons that United are still hoping to sign another goalkeeper before the window closes, but believes Heaton has confidence that he could do a job.

He told GIVEMESPORT: “I’m told Heaton is full of belief in himself and thinks he would be ready to take a chance if it came along, but there’s no doubt United are looking at goalkeeping options at the moment.

“With Heaton, there’s the same concerns about him passing out of the back, it’s not