I still feel I’ve got an awful lot to give and I’ve got the bit between my teeth.
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After starting his career in the Manchester United Academy, Tom Heaton rejoined his boyhood club in the summer of 2021.
Becoming one of a select group of United players to enjoy two spells in M16, he admitted to enjoying "an incredible feeling" upon making the decision to return to Old Trafford. Heaton began his United story in 2002, when he joined the club as a trainee, and made many appearances for our youth teams before making the decision to go in search of regular first-team football. In 2010, he joined Cardiff City on a permanent deal, after a series of loan spells with Swindon, Royal Antwerp, Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale, Wycombe Wanderers and, indeed, Cardiff themselves. After two seasons with the Bluebirds, and a solitary campaign with Bristol City, he then made the move north to Burnley, where he would cement himself as first-choice goalkeeper and help the Clarets to return to the Premier League after a four-year absence. He would go on to captain the club and was named their Player of the Year for 2016/17; his impressive performances at club level even earning him an England call-up in 2016. He was part of the Three Lions' squad for the European Championship and was again involved in the Nations League finals of 2019 – to date he is the proud owner of three senior international caps. His most recent call-up came in November 2019, by which time he had left Burnley to join Aston Villa. Again he impressed at Premier League level, before suffering a serious cruciate knee ligament injury on New Year's Day at his former home ground, Turf Moor. With Heaton unavailable, Villa were moved to bring in ex-Arsenal stopper Emiliano Martinez, who was able to claim the no.1 jersey in Heaton's absence. With first-team opportunities limited, United pounced to snap the former Red up when his Villa contract came to an end in the summer of 2021. At just 35, a relatively modest age for a goalkeeper (Edwin van der Sar was 34 when he joined the Reds in 2005, for example), Heaton has his eyes set "firmly" on trying to get into the team. United have reacquired a prodigal son, but one who returns to the club as a strong, organised leader, with a wealth of experience behind him.
Goalkeeper
English
15 Apr 1986
2 Jul 2021
Zarah Connolly presents our latest bulletin, featuring fans at OT, Marcus Rashford, Tom Heaton & David De Gea...
Watch the extended highlights of our final Champions League group match and Ralf Rangnick's second game in charge...
Delve into the deluge of social-media messages that Tom received following his long-awaited appearance.
Almost 20 years after joining the United Academy, Tom's hard work was rewarded against Young Boys at Old Trafford.
Having first joined United as an 11-year-old, Tom has waited a long time for his first-team debut...
Harry Maguire and Tom Heaton surprised students at Brentwood School and Community College earlier this month.
Harry Maguire and Tom Heaton relished being back out in the community during this recent Foundation trip...
Maguire, Heaton, Jones and birthday boy Brown are all involved in Wednesday’s edition of United Daily…
Tom discusses his stroke of misfortune when playing for Saturday’s opponents Aston Villa at Old Trafford, back in 2019.
In his UTD Podcast, goalkeeper Tom Heaton tells a brilliant tale about Zlatan Ibrahimovic almost breaking his arm...
In a new UTD Podcast episode, Tom Heaton recalls his early encounters with Sir Alex Ferguson...
Our goalkeeper remembers when Sir Alex Ferguson had to put him and the other youngsters straight.
In a fascinating UTD Podcast episode, Tom Heaton explains the importance of an awkward tradition.
Tom Heaton talks about becoming a United player again, in this clip from his excellent UTD Podcast...
Tom Heaton used to practice regularly with Cristiano in his early days at United, first time around.
