Heat on for No 1 jersey

He may be yet to kick - or catch - a ball in anger at Cardiff City, but Tom Heaton is already thinking ahead to life as United's first choice goalkeeper.

The 22-year-old England youth international has joined the Bluebirds on loan for the entire 2008/09 campaign, and he sees the move as a stepping stone towards a bright future at Old Trafford.

"It would mean everything to become Manchester United’s number one,” Heaton told the official Cardiff website. "As soon as I first signed and started to play for United at under-12 level that was the goal I set out to achieve.

"Nothing has changed since then. My move to Cardiff City is another step towards that target – and it is in the back of my mind all the time."

Heaton had several offers from clubs wanting to take him on loan but, after a season in which Cardiff reached the FA Cup final and had been well placed for the Championship playoffs, he opted to head for south Wales.

"All things considered it was decided that Cardiff City offered the best opportunity for me," said Heaton. "They have huge ambition to challenge for promotion next season and they play good football.

"They are two of the main reasons I was keen to sign for Cardiff. First and foremost my aim is to be number one. I need to be playing. I talked to the manager (Dave Jones) and chairman (Peter Ridsdale) and there is no doubt the whole club is geared towards promotion and I am certainly no different."