Man United make contract decision amid Champions League squad rules

Heaton turned 40 last month and although he hasn't played competitively for United since February 2023, his fitness levels remain good and he continues to set high standards in training.

The former England international is also valued in the dressing room as a leader and has taken 23-year-old goalkeeper Senne Lammens under his wing this season, mentoring the Belgian during his first campaign in the Premier League.

With second-choice goalkeeper Altay Bayindir set to leave Old Trafford this summer and Andre Onana on the transfer list after his loan at Trabzonspor, Heaton will provide some continuity as the third-choice goalkeeper in the squad.

Having come through United's youth system before leaving the club in 2010, having not made a first-team appearance, Heaton also qualifies as a homegrown player and will help to fill that quota in the club's 25-man squad on their return to the Champions League next season.

UEFA rules dictate that every squad must have at least eight 'association-trained' players in the 25-man list, of which at least four must be 'club-trained'. To qualify, a player must have spent three continuous seasons at that club between the ages of 15 and 21.

In United's squad this season, only Heaton, Luke Shaw and probably Amad fit the bill as club-trained, with Kobbie Mainoo able to be registered on List B under UEFA's squad rules as a player born on or after January 1, 2005, for the 2026/27 season, and who has spent more than two years at the club. Amad has been classed as homegrown by the Premier League this season and should qualify under UEFA's rules. Only Harry Maguire and Mason Mount would be classed as association-trained.

United filled the four spots in the Europa League last season with Heaton, goalkeeper Dermot Mee, retired centre-back Jonny Evans and forward Marcus Rashford. Mee remains at the club and could be used again next season, but Evans is now on the coaching staff and Rashford is likely to leave this summer.

Loanee midfielder Toby Collyer would count as homegrown, but the 22-year-old could head out on loan again. Goalkeeper Radek Vitek would also qualify, while Mee could be used again as a fourth-choice goalkeeper.

Vitek, 22, has had an outstanding season on loan at Bristol City in the Championship but is keen to play regularly. With Bayindir likely to depart this summer to seek first-team football, United could try and persuade Vitek to play the role of No.2 to Lammens.

United could name fewer than the required eight homegrown players, but it would reduce the size of the squad they can submit. So if they only included six players rather than eight, the squad would be capped at 23 rather than 25.

While Heaton would ease some concerns about UEFA's squad rules, his role behind the scenes is also considered invaluable at Old Trafford. He is a sounding board for captain Bruno Fernandes and Casemiro praised his influence last week.

"The first thing is that he pushes the training," Casemiro told the Rio Ferdinand Meets podcast. "He pushes the training every time. He pushes the game, before the game. Of course, he doesn't play, but he pushes every time.

"And he explains his experience. He explains, because he speaks English very well. But for me, every room needs one Tom. Every room needs this guy because he helps the room [so] much."

Sky broadcasts more than 1,400 live matches across the Premier League, EFL and more with at least 215 live from the top flight alongside Formula 1, darts and golf.