Chester-born goalkeeper Tom Heaton has been decorated at youth and Reserve level for United, but is yet to make his first-team bow.

An excellent shot-stopper and always in full command of his penalty area, Tom is a reliable, solid goalkeeper who has always shown great promise.

Heaton is also an excellent outfield player, having played as a goalkeeper and midfielder during his time at Wrexham before signing professionally at Old Trafford on 8 July 2002. He even scored in a pre-season friendly in 2009 when sent on as an emergency striker against Katwijk.

After

arriving at Old Trafford, Tom quickly set about ascending through the club's ranks, notching 22 appearances for Francisco Filho's Under-17s side as they came second in their league. His first season was capped by an FA Youth Cup winner's medal, although he was an unused substitute throughout the entire campaign as Luke Steele was preferred in goal.

The 2003/04 season brought a similar climax, with Heaton on the bench as United romped to the Manchester Senior Cup final against Manchester City. Despite being an unused sub in the win at Old Trafford, Tom had still made great progress throughout the season, notching