Discussions took place for Jordan Pickford to join Manchester United on loan before Everton secured safety in 2023 | OneFootball

Discussions which involved Everton goalkeeper Jordan Pickford joining Manchester United on loan ahead of 2023-24 took place, according to the Daily Mail.

The Red Devils had David de Gea in goal in 2022-23, but former manager Erik ten Hag had hinted at signing another goalie as the Spaniard entered the final weeks of his contract.

Everton were fighting for Premier League safety in the spring of 2023, and they were planning for life in the Championship if it came to that.

Holding on to Pickford in the second division ahead of the European Championship was not feasible, and talks about letting him join Man United were held.

However, a penalty save in the 2-2 draw against Leicester City on matchday 34 proved crucial as Everton ended up securing safety, finishing 17th in the table, two points ahead of the Foxes.

Pickford remained with the Toffees while the Red Devils ended up signing Andre Onana from Inter Milan in a £47 million deal.

The Cameroon international goalie has since been shipped out on loan to Trabzonspor after two disastrous campaigns, while Man United have brought in a new goalie in Senne Lammens.

Pickford has gone from strength to strength since then for both club and country, keeping clean sheets in each of his last eight appearances for England as his international caps reached 79.

Having such a player in goal would have been huge for the Red Devils, but it was not meant to be and Everton will be pleased to have escaped relegation at the end of the 2022-23 campaign.

They are now looking to tie him down to a long-term contract which would see the 31-year-old spend the rest of his career at the Hill Dickinson Stadium club.

Pickford has established himself as the undisputed number 1 for the Three Lions and is without a doubt one of the best in his position in the Premier League, and Everton are lucky to have him.