‘It nearly broke my arm’ – Tom Heaton reveals how he put his body on the line to stop Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s shot

Heaton in a one-man crusade to keep United from scoring as they have over 30 shots on goal

TOM HEATON has revealed his inspired performance against Manchester United nearly resulted in a BROKEN ARM.

The former Old Trafford youth player was in magnificent form as he made 11 saves – including two world-class stops as United were denied three points.

Heaton went through the youth ranks at United but never made a first-team appearance.

One of them was a flying save from Jesse Lingard’s header.

And when he blocked Zlatan Ibrahimovic’s effort with a point-blank stop, he made comparisons with another Stretford End legend, Peter Schmeichel.

Heaton spent minutes after the save looking like he was seriously injured after the Swede’s effort stung his arm – but he’d done his job to a tee. At times he kept Burnley in the game, literally, single-handedly.

United had 37 shots on goal in the game, 11 on target, eight off target and 18 were blocked by the magnificent Ben Mee and Michael Keane in front of the Clarets No1.

Heaton said: “I knew I had two men behind me on the line, so I thought I’d get out, close the space and spread.

“Thankfully it has hit me but it nearly broke my arm!”

Burnley have given themselves a great claim towards staying up in the Premier League now – with a point at Old Trafford and a smash-and-grab win against Everton.

And with a solid back-line, Sean Dyche’s side should be a good bet to stay up as they got their first away points this term.

Heaton added: “We came with a gameplan, put in an incredible shift and hung in there.

“Much has been made about our away form but what a place to come and get our first point.”