For all the talk of transfers, and rightly so because it’s the middle of the transfer window, it has flown under the radar how much better Man Utd’s players look.
No coach can get 11 new players every summer, so the challenge facing Ruben Amorim was always going to be how much internal improvement he could get from those already at Man Utd.
Fans saw a glimpse of internal improvement against Bournemouth, where the squad, without Matheus Cunha and Bryan Mbeumo, blew away the Cherries.
Amorim has now confirmed that message by pointing out a player who, in his opinion, will be a ‘different’ player this season after becoming leaner.
Tom Heaton, Casemiro, Diogo Dalot and Harry Maguire of Manchester United walk out ahead of the Premier League Summer Series match between Manchester United and AFC Bournemouth at Soldier Field on July 30, 2025
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ruben Amorim praises Tom Heaton
Man Utd’s goalkeeping situation still hovers above the team like a dark cloud, with links to Senne Lammens, Andre Onana’s injury, rejection of loan for Emi Martinez, and Altay Bayindir’s uncertain future making fans uneasy.
It is remarkable that, amongst it all, the elder statesman of the team, who, at this point last season, was nothing more than an ambassadorial dressing room presence, is stepping up.
Tom Heaton signed a new contract at Man Utd to keep him at the club for another season, and it was a welcome move due to his leadership and professionalism.
What wasn’t expected, however, was how much of a contributor he would be to the team’s fortunes on the pitch.
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After three pre-season games, that has been answered as well, with Heaton standing out in the goalkeeping position with his saves and surprisingly proficient build-up skills.
Amorim, in a sit-down interview with journalists in the USA (via The Athletic), credited Heaton for becoming “leaner”, and said he will be a “different goalkeeper” this season.
He said: “We are always looking to improve the team. And we have some characteristics that we would like to have. But again, it depends on the market. It depends on the sales. We’ll see.
“But I’m really happy. And I think even when you talk about Andre, you can see the goalkeepers, even Tom is [leaner], he’s a different goalkeeper. Altay did really well, and Onana is going to be better like the other guys that are getting better this year.”
Heaton’s transformation deserves credit
To be 39 and coming off the worst season in Man Utd’s Premier League history, nobody would have faulted Heaton if he hung up his boots in the summer.
United will always have a place for him, and it would be a surprise if he wasn’t absorbed into the club setup like Jonny Evans has.
However, Heaton deserves immense credit because not only did he not shy away from the spotlight, he is validating his decision to sign a new contract by playing some of the best football of his life.
Heaton looks a lifetime away from the goalkeeper who struggled on the post-season tour of Asia, and his presence in the goal inspires calm now.
Nobody is mistaking him for becoming the final answer to United’s goalkeeping uncertainty, but he has certainly reached a point where he can’t be called a mere ambassador anymore.
He is as much deserving of minutes as any other player/goalkeeper in the squad, and to manage that at 39 in a changing club is no easy feat.