Last Saturday, Manchester United defeated Burnley 3-2, earning all three points thanks to a last-minute penalty kick from Bruno Fernandes, giving them their first victory of the year. Despite their positive attitude, rumors have said that Ruben Amorim’s team wants to launch a forgotten star.
The Premier League heavyweights have had a disorganized start to the season and have already lost to League Two team Grimsby Town in the League Cup. They have gained four points in the league as we approach the first international break.
Next up for the Red Devils is a trip to the Etihad Stadium to face local rivals Manchester City – and they’ll have to be at their very best in order to overcome Pep Guardiola’s side, who are looking to rub shoulders with Liverpool at the top of the table. But could there be an unfamiliar face in United’s starting line-up?
Man Utd Players Believe Amorim Should Hand Forgotten Ace a Start
United added Matheus Cunha, Bryan Mbeumo, and Benjamin Sesko to their struggling front line during the summer transfer window, which was a wise investment. However, the problems in the middle of the field and between the sticks still persist.
Senne Lammens of Royal Antwerp and Emiliano Martinez of Aston Villa have been linked to a summer transfer to the club because neither Andre Onana nor Altay Bayindir have given the Old Trafford supporters hope since the current campaign began.
Could Amorim, who is considered to be among the top young managers in football, already have the problem resolved?
According to The Sun, United players believe that Tom Heaton – who is outperforming both Onana and Bayindir in training – could be the antidote, whether that be temporarily or on a long-term basis, to their ongoing goalkeeper woes. Sources told SunSport:
“Judging it on performances on the training pitch, some of the lads think Tom deserves a chance. He’s very experienced, looks after himself and is a key member of the squad. The other two are struggling at the moment, so why not give Tom a go?”
Heaton, a 39-year-old England international with three caps, joined the team again in the summer of 2021 after playing for Aston Villa. Since then, he has only participated in four competitive games, twice in 2021–2022 and twice in the subsequent season under Erik ten Hag.
He was able to play in United’s preseason tour of the United States, where they defeated Bournemouth, another Premier League team, 4-1, to the delight of the crowd. The seasoned goalie, who was born and bred in Chester, graduated from United’s minor divisions in 2005 and had numerous loan stints until 2010.
| Tom Heaton – Career Statistics | |
|---|---|
| Matches | 382 |
| Goals Conceded | 485 |
| Clean Sheets | 108 |
| Yellow/Red Cards | 8/1 |
Heaton, who joined Cardiff City on a free transfer, showed patience and eventually established himself as a staple in Burnley’s goal, making 200 appearances for the Clarets between 2013 and 2019.
But will Amorim give him an opportunity to shine for United? Naturally, time will tell because the Red Devils’ next opponent is Manchester City. It is highly probable that Martinez or Lammens will be in goal by that time.
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