Man Utd star Heaton was ‘sweating’ and left Ferguson fuming after awkward chat

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Manchester United academy graduate Tom Heaton has opened up on how he handled leaving the club in 2010, having opted not to renew his contract with the club. Sir Alex Ferguson was said to have been left fuming by the decision but ultimately wished the goalkeeper well.

Heaton came through the ranks at United, spending spells out on loan at several EFL clubs with the view of the shot-stopper gaining the experience required to push for the No.1 spot at Old Trafford. However, aged 24, the former Aston Villa star decided that he needed to move on and refused to sign a contract extension at the club.

Ferguson was left unhappy by Heaton’s decision but was unable to persuade his future No.1 to change his mind. Opening up on the decision, Heaton told Ben Foster on the Fozcast podcast: “I went to tell him (Ferguson) that I wasn’t signing a new contract and I was leaving out the door. He wasn’t happy, let’s say that.

“You can imagine, the club had put so much resources into me coming through and so much time. I’ve been involved in England Under-21s but I knew it was the right time for me so he was not happy at the time, when I first knocked on his door.

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“But I always say that the fact that two weeks later he had me back in the office when I stood strong with the decision, said he’s always there for me, respects the decision, if I ever needed anything then to contact him. That was massive for me, growing up through the club, that was a big moment and it’s rung true.

“I’ve seen him so many times since, speak to him obviously regularly now when I see him and that was a big moment for me to think: ‘definitely, the right decision.’”

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Heaton spent time with Cardiff, Bristol City and Burnley after leaving the Red Devils, earning himself three England caps during that time. The 37-year-old then spent time with Aston Villa before rejoining United to become one of their rotational goalkeepers, content with mentoring younger players and making an impact behind the scenes.

Asked by Foster about how scared he was when heading in to speak with Ferguson, Heaton explained: “It was really, really difficult. Really uncomfortable. Sweating and thinking ‘is this the right decision?’. But I have to say, I didn’t actually waver from knowing it was the right decision so at no point did I question ‘am I doing the right thing here?’. That never seemed to waver and I’m not sure why, even though dealing with it wasn’t comfortable or anything but I think it just felt it was right. It was the right time to do it.”

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