Goalkeeper Tom Heaton made a cluster of good saves in the second half of Man United’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United.
Tom Heaton is hungry for more game time.(Image: MUTV.)
Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has reaffirmed his hunger to earn regular minutes after a strong showing in the second half of Saturday’s 0-0 draw with Leeds United at the Strawberry Arena in Stockholm.
The 39-year-old stopper was introduced at half-time in United’s pre-season opener, replacing Altay Bayindir, as head coach Ruben Amorim made wholesale changes at the interval.
Heaton, who signed a new one-year contract at Old Trafford last month, fully justified his 45-minute cameo, making a couple of brilliant saves to deny Leeds duo Jayden Bogle and Largie Ramazani.
The former Burnley man will be hoping he did enough to catch Amorim’s eye and be rewarded with more opportunities on the upcoming pre-season tour of the United States. United are light on senior goalkeepers after losing Andre Onana to a hamstring injury last week.
Outlining his hunger to play, Heaton told MUTV: “That has always been my message. When the opportunity came to stay for another year in the summer, as always, the priority is to try and get in the shirt.
“I wouldn’t be here if I didn’t think I could do that and go and deliver performances. I hope today showed that.
“Competition for places is exactly what we want. This is Manchester United Football Club and it should be [competitive] in every single position.
“You are competing against everyone else in the world because that is the reach of this football club.
“For me, it is about performing, working every day, taking the opportunity when it comes and hopefully keep showing the manager what I am capable of.”
Tom Heaton is after more opportunities.(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images.)
Heaton has not made a competitive appearance for United since February 2023, last featuring when the Reds beat Nottingham Forest 2-0 in the second leg of their Carabao Cup semi-final triumph at Old Trafford.
He added: “For me, the 90 minutes have been few and far between over the last 18 months, which is difficult. I know I am a bit older and further down my career than most people, but the flame of the fire doesn’t stop burning.
“Every weekend, when you’re trying to get in the team, it can be difficult, it is a real challenge. But I try and channel that energy every day by performing and when the opportunities come, making sure I take them.
“I repeat what I said before: I wouldn’t have signed again for another year if I didn’t think I could make an impact on the team.
“The manager is obviously here to pick the team and that is rightly so, but I will keep trying to do my bit.”
Man United’s 2025/26 Away Shirt
This article contains affiliate links, we will receive a commission on any sales we generate from it. Learn more
£85
Fanatics
Manchester United have launched their new away kit for the 2025/26 season, inspired by the club’s early-1990s Adidas snowflake kit.