Back to the Manchester United Newsfeed

Burnley boss Sean Dyche compares Tom Heaton to David de Gea

Burnley boss Sean Dyche is convinced keeper Tom Heaton deserves to rank alongside the modern-day greats after a series of stunning performances in the Premier League this season.

Dyche can still recall the time he was 'slaughtered' for making Heaton his first signing as Clarets boss when he plucked the then-untested stopper from freshly relegated Bristol City in May 2013.

But Heaton went on to earn his first full England call-up two years later - and last week's stunning one-handed save to deny Charlie Austin earned comparisons with Gordon Banks.

Burnley boss Sean Dyche has been impressed with Tom Heaton's performances this season
Burnley boss Sean Dyche has been impressed with Tom Heaton's performances this season
Dyche says he was 'slaughtered' for signing Heaton from newly relegated Bristol City in 2013
Dyche says he was 'slaughtered' for signing Heaton from newly relegated Bristol City in 2013

However Dyche preferred to pinpoint similarities between Heaton and Manchester United keeper David de Gea as evidence that the 30-year-old has it in him to continue to improve.