Why Heaton has joined a rare band of Reds

The popular former Academy product has turned 40 and is one of very few players to still be registered on the club's playing staff, after reaching the landmark.

Although he has not made a first-team appearance since the win over Nottingham Forest, in a Carabao Cup semi-final second-leg tie in February 2023, he remains an integral part of the goalkeeping group.

Indeed, he has been on the bench on five occasions this term - the Premier League opener against Arsenal and also the away matches at Grimsby Town, Manchester City, Brentford and Aston Villa.

Heaton is one of precious few fortysomethings to remain an active player at United.

Billy Meredith, a famous name from the past, made his final appearance for the club at the ripe old age of 46 years and 281 days, in a 3-0 victory over Derby County in May 1921.

The 'Welsh Wizard' is also our oldest-ever scorer as well, converting a penalty against Everton earlier that year.

Even more remarkably, he did not retire but moved back to Manchester City and became their eldest player when nudging 50 (49 years and 245 days)!

More recently, Edwin van der Sar was 40 years and 211 days old when he kept goal in the UEFA Champions League final against Barcelona, at Wembley in 2011.

The brilliant keeper made his final Premier League outing six days earlier, ensuring he has the record in the division for the Reds, as we celebrated winning the title with a 4-2 triumph over Blackpool at Old Trafford.

Ryan Giggs is another who reached 40 while still playing for Sir Alex Ferguson's men, an incredible achievement considering he made his debut for his only club as a 17-year-old.

Like Meredith, a Wales winger, he even made an appearance as player-interim manager, against Hull City in 2014 (40 years and 159 days).

So Heaton is in esteemed company in this regard - fellow keeper Raimond van der Gouw came close to hitting 40 but made his last United appearance a little under a year shy.

In terms of the current Premier League, James Milner is still playing in his forties. The Brighton & Hove Albion midfielder, who could face Michael Carrick's Reds on the last day of this campaign, has recently broken the record for the most appearances in the division, surpassing Gareth Barry's mark.

The oldest outfield player ever to appear since the league was reformed in 1992 is our former forward Teddy Sheringham. The classy striker achieved the feat when with West Ham United, in 2006 (aged 40 years and 272 days).

Another ex-Red, Gordon Strachan, enjoyed six outings with Coventry City while in his forties. Kevin Phillips is the only other outfielder, other than those we have mentioned, to have been over 40 when appearing in the division.

Goalkeepers are a rather different matter, however.

Eight have been older than van der Sar, with John Burridge the Premier League record-holder at 43 years and 162 days. The veteran was thrown into action for Manchester City due to an injury to our current chief goalkeeping scout Tony Coton.

Alec Chamberlain (Watford), Steve Ogrizovic (Coventry City), Brad Friedel (Tottenham Hotspur), Mark Schwarzer (Leicester City), Neville Southall (Everton), Kevin Poole (Bolton Wanderers) and Jens Lehmann (Arsenal) are the others.

Each of them were older than Heaton is today.

Happy birthday Tom, many happy returns from everyone at the club.