With Manchester United now well into their pre-season preparations, focus continues to shift not just to the first team’s performances but also to the rising prospects waiting in the wings.
While Ruben Amorim continues to assess his options ahead of the 2025/26 campaign, youngsters like Ayden Heaven are getting valuable exposure to the senior setup.
The teenage defender, who joined United from Arsenal earlier this year, has settled in quickly — and it seems a few key figures at Carrington have been instrumental in helping him do so.
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As Amorim fine-tunes his squad for the upcoming season, players like Ayden Heaven offer versatility and depth, particularly with the Portuguese tactician favouring a three-at-the-back formation.
United’s pre-season tour of the United States could give Heaven more chances to impress, especially with several senior players yet to return from international duty.
Speaking in a recent interview with The Athletic, Heaven opened up about the support he’s received since arriving at Old Trafford, singling out two players and one influential staff member who have played a pivotal role in his early adaptation.
“Darren Fletcher helps me a lot in training and matches,” he said.
“My first day at Carrington, he spoke with me.
“I think he does tend to help a lot of young players.”
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Fletcher, United’s technical director and a former club captain, has been heavily involved in mentoring academy and fringe players as part of the club’s long-term strategy.
Heaven also pointed to the leadership of Harry Maguire as vital in preparing for matches.
“Before matches, me and Harry have a lot of talks on tactics,” he explained, giving fans a rare glimpse into the tactical conversations happening behind the scenes.
He also recalled a humorous encounter with Mason Mount, who went out of his way to welcome him despite a memorable moment from a previous meeting.
“I saw him in the canteen and he said he remembers when I hit him in the first minute,” Heaven laughed, referencing a foul during a friendly between Arsenal and United last summer.
With guidance from United’s senior players and coaching staff, Heaven looks poised to develop into a valuable option under Amorim’s evolving system.
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