Crystal Palace manager Patrick Vieira has hinted that Jack Butland could earn more opportunities at Manchester United than he would have done staying at Selhurst Park, following his move to Old Trafford.
Butland, 29, has joined United on loan for the rest of the season to provide both cover and competition for first-choice shot-stopper David de Gea. The Reds were forced into sourcing a new goalkeeper following Newcastle United's decision to recall Martin Dubravka from his loan spell in M16 last weekend.
Newcastle's decision to recall the Slovakian earlier than expected left United with just two senior goalkeepers, meaning they had to act quickly to strengthen that department of the squad. Butland will now compete with Tom Heaton to take second place in the pecking order.
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The former Birmingham City and Stoke City goalkeeper has not played a single minute so far this season after breaking his finger during Palace's 3-1 defeat to United in a pre-season friendly at the Melbourne Cricket Ground back in July. He was twice included on the Palace bench over the busy festive period.
But with Vicente Guaita and former United academy graduate Sam Johnstone ahead of him in the pecking order at Selhurst Park, Palace had no reluctance in granting Butland a temporary switch to Old Trafford. And for Vieira, it is a move that should serve the Bristol-born shot-stopper well.
"I think for us, we knew that we had three really good goalkeepers and Jack was one of them, and sometimes a player wants to have more time on the field than you can promise, so I think at the end it's a really good move for Jack," said Vieira. "And the last couple of years that I've worked with him, he has been a real professional and we wish him all the best."
After completing his move to Old Trafford on Friday morning, Butland said: "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.
"I've played against David de Gea and represented England alongside Tom Heaton; they are top-class 'keepers, and I am relishing the opportunity to compete alongside and support them as teammates. There is a lot that this group can achieve this season and I'm excited to play my part in helping everyone to reach these ambitions."
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