That’s the verdict of former Republic of Ireland international and Villa Park No 1 Shay Given, who’d like to see Steve Bruce tie the stopper down on a permanent basis.

Johnstone returned to Villa this summer with his chances of making his mark at United slim with David De Gea and Sergio Romero ahead of him in the pecking order.

And he’s now made more appearances for the Midlanders than any other club in his loan-spell littered career, which has taken in nine separate stints away from Old Trafford.

United inserted a break clause into the deal that took Johnstone to Villa which they could opt to activate when the January transfer window opens.

Given has now outlined why the 24-year-old will not fancy heading back to United midway through his second spell at Villa.

"Well, I think that would be good if they could keep him," Given told Express Sport.

"He’s had a great season.

"I don’t know what Manchester United will be thinking about that.

"But Sam will have a taste for playing at Aston Villa now as well and I wouldn’t imagine he’d want to go back and play Under-23s or whatever at Man United.

"He’ll want to further his career and, I can’t speak for Sam of course, but I’m sure Villa would love to keep him."

Given also opened up on how having Bruce in charge has impacted Villa’s chances of making a return to the Premier League.

"Steve Bruce is an experienced manager and they’ve got a real chance of getting out of the league," he said.

"They’re pushing hard, of course, to get one of those top two spots and it’d be good to see them come back up.

"It’s a big club as well, in the Midlands.

"There’s a lot of big clubs in the Championship now that I think should be in the Premier League and Aston Villa is one of them."

Johnstone has kept nine clean sheets for Villa this season and he’ll be hoping to impress when Bruce’s side travel to Middlesbrough on Saturday.