Young Man Utd defender Ayden Heaven has praised the influence Harry Maguire has had on his career so far as he continues to impress at Old Trafford.
Ayden Heaven and Harry Maguire
Ayden Heaven has praised the impact Harry Maguire has had on his game
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Ayden Heaven has hailed Manchester United teammate Harry Maguire and former Arsenal centre-back William Saliba as the biggest influences on his career so far.
Heaven began his career at Arsenal but only made one appearance for the club before joining United for a fee of around £1.5million in January 2025.
The 19-year-old has made an impressive start his Old Trafford career, making 21 appearances having initially been throw into the side during an injury crisis in the second half of last season.
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He was called up to the England Under-20s for the first time this week as he continues to make strides and has credited Maguire with having an influence on his career, while also reserving praise for former Arsenal teammate and France international William Saliba.
"I would probably say William Saliba or Harry Maguire, either one of them two,"" Heaven said when asked about the influences on his career.
"Just having that reassurance next to you when you're playing and you're not afraid when you have that sort of experience behind you."
Heaven and Leny Yoro, 20, have also struck up a close friendship, as two young centre-backs trying to make the grade at United. The Frenchman has been back in the team recently and Heaven is full of praise for the quality of a player Real Madrid also tried to sign.
"He's quick, really quick," Heaven said of Yoro. "Good on the ball, good in the air. He's got all you need really, as a centre back here. He'll be top.
"He deserves [his recent chances]. He showed what he could do when he came, and I'm happy for him that he's getting the chances as well. He can show what he's capable of. That's what he is doing at the moment."
Heaven and Yoro have been receiving guidance from Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans at Carrington, two former Premier League centre-backs who have plenty of wisdom to pass on.
Evans was still playing for United last season and was part of the squad when Heaven joined, so the two have struck up a good bond.
"Johnny did help me last season when he was a player," said Heaven. "He did help me a lot. It's always good to have the older senior players in the squad, especially him being a coach now.
"We really had that past relationship. So yeah, me and Johnny have got a good connection."