Manchester United have acted swiftly and with conviction to home in on the signing of Jack Butland from Crystal Palace, in a move that could spell the end to Dean Henderson’s career at Old Trafford…

With Newcastle United shot-stopper Martin Dubravka’s loan spell with the Red Devils cut short at the beginning of the January transfer window, having forged only two showings – both in the Carabao Cup – Erik Ten Hag has moved quickly to secure an apt replacement, and nine-cap England ace Butland has been distinguished.

Butland has made only a smattering of appearances since departing second-tier Stoke City for Palace in 2020, but is viewed by United to be the ideal back-up for David de Gea’s goal on the current market.

Despite only registering interest this week, according to BBC Sport, Butland is already headed to Manchester to complete a medical ahead of a permanent transfer, which could be announced imminently.

Nottingham Forest currently yield Henderson between the sticks, with the 25-year-old ‘keeper making 17 Premier League appearances and keeping five clean sheets during what has been a mixed spell away from the Theatre of Dreams.

Although an improving figure, he did not enjoy a great start to the campaign with the Athletic’s Richard Amorfa lamenting his shot-stopping ability, taking to Twitter to say that he was “getting cooked from long range again.”

Prior to his temporary move away, he was being valued at a costly £40m by United with Newcastle potentially eyeing up a switch. That seemed a hefty sum of money but when you consider how he burst onto the scene in resounding fashion over a two-year loan stint with Sheffield United, it looked decent value.