Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim sent clear message from Andre Onana's potential replacement
Manchester United goalkeeper Tom Heaton has outlined his desire for more game time, with regular No. 1 Andre Onana currently sidelined with a hamstring injury. United are hopeful that Onana will be fit for their Premier League opener, but it remains to be seen if he will recover in time.
As a result, Altay Bayindir and Heaton were both given 45 minutes to impress in United's first pre-season friendly, a 0-0 draw with Leeds in Sweden. And Heaton impressed after replacing Bayindir for the second half, making a pair of important saves to keep out efforts from Jayden Bogle and Largie Ramazani.
The 39-year-old signed a new one-year deal with United earlier this month and is confident that he can "deliver performances" when called on. Speaking to MUTV after the draw with Leeds, Heaton said: "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."
Heaton previously spoke about wanting to play more this season after his new deal was confirmed, with the former England international stating: "My priority is playing and working hard to try and get in the team.
"That's always the priority, but as a senior player, and someone who signed at 11, left aged 24 and came back at 35, the values of this football club are ingrained inside me and I want to make sure that new players who come into the building have an understanding of what the club means to the fans, what the traditions are, what the values are, as well as accepting that it also requires a period to evolve.
"I see that as part of my role, being supportive. Even with the new players, Matheus [Cunha] and Diego [Leon] coming through the door, offering that support if they need anything. I think it's about driving yourself and people see that, so people see that when you're at it, you're doing things properly, that's the first marker.
"It's a big part of it in my position at this moment. And Bruno [Fernandes, club captain] and I have a brilliant relationship, so I try and help him in any way I possibly can. I think he does a magnificent job."
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