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Tobin Heath interview: 'Wearing the Manchester United shirt is a dream, but the US league is still the best'

Tobin Heath - GETTY IMAGES
Tobin Heath - GETTY IMAGES

Tobin Heath grew up watching the Premier League and is already feeling the weight of history that comes with the Manchester United shirt she will wear in the Women’s Super League, but the USA international continues to believe in the ingrained superiority of her national team.

Heath is one of several high-profile US internationals to have signed for WSL teams this season as there was little chance to play club football back home, ahead of next summer’s Olympic Games in Tokyo, because of the coronavirus situation in the States.

United have signed Heath along with Christen Press, Manchester City have brought in Rose Lavelle and Sam Mewis, while Alex Morgan has signed for Tottenham Hotspur.

All five were members of the USA squad that beat England on the way to winning the World Cup last year and their arrival instantly boosts both the profile and quality of English football’s domestic club competition.

Although the presence of so many of their best players in England is a coup for the WSL, Heath – as is the American way – continues to believe the USA remain the best international side.

“I'm not worried at all,” replied Heath, who at the age of 32, has won both the Olympics and World Cup twice and is widely regarded as one of her country’s all-time best players with 168 international appearances.

“I think that our league [NWSL] in the US is [still the best]. I mean, I've performed against and in other countries. But in terms of the growth of the global game, I think the competition of international football is only going to go up and [the USA] is only going to continue to be challenged.

“And that's what you want as a footballer, especially in terms of the US team - it's grow, or die, and that's how it should be.

“But with competition, you know, comes more resources, more talent. I only expect it to be harder and harder.

“In terms of the growth of this league over here, it's only going to help their national team. If they can bring over top players and they're competing against and with top players, and they're also developing their pool, it's going to be massive for them.

“And that's why you do it. You know, that's why you invest in leagues and in your national game. So, in terms of competition, the competition all over the world is getting scary.

“And in terms of the US, I know for a fact that the US will always be at the forefront of that. Because of their investment in their women's game, both domestically and internationally.”

Heath, who has bought a Lego model of Old Trafford to build while she adjusts to life in the UK, used to watch tapes of English football as a child, long before games were broadcast widely in and admitted she had fulfilled a childhood dream playing for United – even if she is an Arsenal fan.

“I definitely thought it [playing in England] would happen. It was in my mind,” she said. “The [United] badge is huge. It's huge in the US for a football player.

“It's all I knew in terms of football and how I was really introduced to the game was the EPL. So yes, I would say that when I put on my first Man Utd training kit, it felt enormous in a way that was really special in a childhood dream-type way. Because, obviously, we don't have that history in the US. So, to be able to put on a shirt like that as an American was really special.

"All of my football, even my introduction, even my coaches, you know, most of them came from Europe, particularly England. So pretty much my whole footballing education and introduction was through English football.

“And when TV rights started becoming more prominent in the US with all the games, it was obviously something as a football fan that was just a dream to be able to watch the games on TV.”

At the age of 32, Heath will almost certainly return to Portland Thorns next season, but she chose United because they represent both the tradition of the game in England, but also its bright future.

“It's a young ambitious programme,” Heath added. “They're only a few years old, I was really drawn in by the manager Casey Stoney and her reputation and what I had heard about her.

“Then, becoming more familiar with the team, that was something I felt like I could really come here and build upon and help out and learn and grow. So far, I'm really happy about my decision to join the club, it's been great.

“I remember when Manchester United came [formed a women’s team] into the league and I remember saying, 'wow, this is huge.’ It's so important for clubs with all this tradition, history, power influence, it's huge for them to have a women's team. It's so encouraging for the global game at large.”