There is no disputing that Tom Heaton is an important player around Carrington, even though, as Manchester United’s third-choice goalkeeper, he rarely plays.
It can be a difficult job being a third-choice goalkeeper, but Tom Heaton understands the role he has to play at Manchester United.
Heaton has not made an appearance this season, despite Ruben Amorim revamping his goalkeeper department by starting the season with Altay Bayindir between the sticks for the first six games of the Premier League season.
This meant Andre Onana was being overlooked after returning to pre-season with an injury.
Furthermore, Senne Lammens joined United from Royal Antwerp before taking Bayindir’s role as Amorim’s number one. Onana also joined Trabzonspor on loan for the rest of the season.
There was a time this season that Heaton was regarded as the ‘best’ keeper at the club, despite not being considered for selection.
Tom Heaton warming up against Nottingham Forest
Photo by James Holyoak/MB Media/Getty Images
Tom Heaton enjoying his role at Man Utd
Heaton’s initial spell at United between 2002 and 2010 was defined by his development through the academy and a series of loan moves, but he didn’t make a single appearance for the senior team.
The highlight from his first spell at the club came in the 2002/03 season when he won the FA Youth Cup. He was also behind Edwin van der Sar and Tomasz Kuszczak in the pecking order.
More United News
Heaton went on to play for Cardiff City, Bristol City, Burnley and Aston Villa before returning to Old Trafford in 2021 as a free agent.
“I love it,” Heaton said when asked if he still enjoys football and his current role at United, in an exclusive interview with The Guardian.
Heaton knew what he signed up for in returning to the club he joined as an 11-year-old. He has since played 202 minutes, and his last competitive appearance came over 1,032 days ago.
“The feeling doesn’t leave you,” he says. “I’m still trying to get that shirt, so in that sense game days can be difficult sat up in the stands, doing the warm-ups with the lads and then getting changed again to play that supporting role.”
Ruben Amorim is excited about Senne Lammens
He can kick long balls with a lot of quality with both feet, and that is a detail that can change the way we play the game.
Heaton went on to explain that he has no regrets about moving back to United.
“My outlook can sometimes be bordering on deluded,” he added.
“I understand the optics of it, but I thought: ‘I’m going to take that on.’ The logical side of my brain knew that coming back here at 35 was probably more to fill this role. But I have zero regrets. I’ve loved being here.”
What did Tom Heaton learn from Sir Alex Ferguson?
Although Heaton never had the honour of playing a competitive game under Sir Alex Ferguson, the legendary manager had an impact on his career, especially in how he behaved throughout his senior career.
The reason United gave Heaton a new contract last summer was not that he’s expected to make a certain number of appearances this season. It was because he is a model professional and the type of player you want to have around the squad, helping younger players learn the ropes, because he was their shoes once upon a time.
Heaton spoke about his role in the team and what he learned from Ferguson.
He added: “if you’re training with the Manchester United first team, it’s right that everyone knows your name … we’re going to have expectations of you but at the same time we should be valuing everyone”.
Heaton also said “the behaviours, the mentalities, the attitudes” he learned from Ferguson and others at United “stick with you through life”.