A party was raging in a Moscow hotel after one of the greatest nights in Manchester United's history but reality was dawning for one young goalkeeper.

Tom Heaton was one of the 24 players Sir Alex Ferguson took to Russia for the 2008 Champions League final against Chelsea. He had 'travelled everywhere' during a season in which United had won the Premier League, working closely with the great Edwin van der Sar.

Yet, as No 3 keeper, there was to be no place for him on the bench. Instead, along with Gerard Pique, Louis Saha, Chris Eagles, Park Ji-sung and Danny Welbeck, Heaton watched from the stands in the Luzhniki Stadium, as his mentor took centre stage in the defining penalty shootout. Van der Sar's save from Nicolas Anelka won United their third European Cup.

Tom Heaton returns to Old Trafford to face Manchester United with Burnley on Saturday

Heaton has made 47 saves in the Premier League this season - more than any other goalkeeper

Heaton travelled with United to Russia but was unused for the 2008 Champions League final

Heaton enjoyed one of the proudest days of his career when he made his England debut

The smile as he recalls the drama shows how special the experience was but, as we talk at Burnley's training base, Heaton explains how he also felt like an outsider. He was aware there may never be another celebration like this in his career but, on that night — May 21, 2008 — he knew he would have to leave to become a No 1.

'That was a big moment,' says Heaton, who took one of the match balls for a souvenir. 'I trained every day and had been everywhere with them but never played a minute. It was strange, to be honest. You don't feel a fraud, but you feel (strange) celebrating.

'It was brilliant being in the dressing room, watching the build-up, how they went about it. It was absolutely incredible as a young lad being there, mixing around them and learning at that level. It certainly brought the best out of me. More than anything, it gave me a great grounding in the game.

'But I wanted to be involved, to be a main man if you like. That was the dream, so I left (Moscow) with that in mind.

Heaton has gone on to enjoy a successful career after calling time on his spell with United

His excellent form at Burnley led to him receiving his first England call up last season

'I'd never consistently played anywhere. There was no shortcut. I had to go and earn a career. That is what I needed to do.'

And that is what he did. Heaton headed away that summer, joining Cardiff City, the first of four loan spells that also included Queens Park Rangers, Rochdale and Wycombe Wanderers.

He severed his ties with United completely in 2010 when Cardiff signed him on a free transfer.

From there, Heaton has matured into one of the most reliable goalkeepers in the country. He hasn't missed a league game since Burnley signed him from Bristol City in 2013 — a sequence of 139 appearances — and his consistency has carried him into the England squad.

The 30-year-old was determined to become the main man and departed United for Cardiff

Heaton boasts an impressive record of having played in 139 successive league games

The Chester-born stopper shakes hands with former England manager Roy Hodgson

'There was no shortcut,' Heaton stresses. 'I had to go through the ups, the downs and understand the different situations to become that rounded keeper I have become now. I'm still learning, I'm still trying to improve but that grounding was absolutely vital for me to be consistent.'

Such progress will ensure he receives a generous reception when he leads Burnley out at Old Trafford on Saturday but generosity was in short supply when he told Ferguson he wanted to spread his wings and wouldn't sign another contract. It was the one and only time he received 'the hairdryer'.

'He gave me short shrift, to be fair,' Heaton says, the telling smile that accompanies this story giving an indicator of Ferguson's fury. 'How short? Pretty short! But I understood it. I had been there for 13 years and I was leaving on a free.

The former United keeper's consistency at Turf Moor has carried him into England squads

Heaton is likely to be afforded a generous reception when he leads Burnley out at Old Trafford

Heaton told Sir Alex Ferguson he wouldn't sign another contract - to the Scot's annoyance

'But one thing that has really stuck with me is that three weeks down the line he had me back in and said he respected my decision and he was always there for me if I needed him. It meant the world to me, especially having been there so long.

'He came up to the training ground last year. When I saw him, I stood up a little straighter and called him "boss"! You'd still be terrified of him! He's got that aura and impact. I've got such respect for him. He was brilliant.'

Similar sentiments apply to his current manager Sean Dyche, who has likened Heaton to United No 1 David de Gea. During this interview, Dyche does his best to upset Heaton's train of thought, peering into the room in which we are sitting and tapping on his watch in an attempt to hurry him up.

Heaton is highly regarded with Clarets boss Sean Dyche comparing him to David de Gea

Heaton heads back to United in prime form and he is looking to add to his one England cap

Ever the professional, Heaton manages to retain his composure and even gives as good as he gets, saying "it's news to me!" when told of Dyche's views about him and De Gea. The Spaniard, for the record, is someone the 30-year-old holds in high regard.

'I try and take as much as I can from the people I come across and work with,' he says. 'If you can take the presence from Peter (Schmeichel) and the calmness from Edwin (van der Sar), you've got the perfect marriage. I'm not saying I'm anywhere near that! But that's what I'm striving towards.'

In a quiet moment outside, however, Heaton goes into detail about the role Dyche has played in elevating him to a level that enabled him to win his first England cap against Australia in May when he came on as a late substitute for Fraser Forster.

The Burnley goalkeeper is focused on helping his side consolidate their Premier League status

A young Heaton and Paul McShane pose with the FA Premier Reserve League Shield in 2005

'I've been involved for 18 months and it is all my dreams come true,' says Heaton, whose first call-up came for a game against the Republic of Ireland in May 2015.

'I have been striving for it my whole career and the next thing I am striving for is to play more, start a game and then build from there.

'That is what I want to do. I haven't received my cap yet. I'm not sure what I'll be doing with it but I know I'll be keeping it pretty close. It was a massive thing for me. I know it was only six minutes and two touches and the lads here give me non-stop grief about it!