Ayden Heaven has established himself as a first-team regular at Manchester United, who signed him from boyhood club Arsenal in February 2025 for an undisclosed fee
Ayden Heaven of Manchester United plays during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Crystal Palace at Old Trafford in Manchester, United Kingdom, on March 1, 2026. (Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
Ayden Heaven is a rising star for Manchester United(Image: Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images)
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Manchester United youngster Ayden Heaven has named Arsenal star William Saliba as his biggest influence alongside Harry Maguire. Heaven, 19, left Arsenal to join the Red Devils just over a year ago for an undisclosed fee.
The teenager had made a name for himself as 'baby Saliba' at Arsenal, who he grew up supporting and signed for in 2019. But after more than five years with the Gunners, United convinced him to move north and he quickly made his first-team debut under then-manager Ruben Amorim.
Heaven only made one first-team appearance for Arsenal, featuring in their 3-0 win away to Preston North End in the Carabao Cup last season. That night, the England youth international came on as a substitute and partnered Saliba at centre-back.
The duo, who'd also played together in pre-season, helped Arsenal keep a clean sheet while Heaven learned plenty. During a recent in-house interview, he was asked who his biggest influences were.
"I'd probably say William Saliba or Harry Maguire, one of them two," Heaven replied. "Just having that reassurance [of them] next to you. You're not that afraid when you have got that experience beside you."
Behind the scenes, ex-United centre-back Jonny Evans, who's now part of interim manager Michael Carrick's coaching staff, is helping Heaven's development. "Jonny helped me a lot last season when he was a player," he added.
"It is always good to have those senior players, and now that he is a coach it is great to have that past relationship with him. Me and Jonny have a good connection."
London, United Kingdom - March 17: William Saliba of Arsenal FC looks on during the UEFA Champions League 2025/26 Round of 16 Second Leg match between Arsenal FC and Bayer 04 Leverkusen at Arsenal Stadium on March 17, 2026 in London, United Kingdom. (Photo by Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
William Saliba played alongside Ayden Heaven at Arsenal(Image: Vince Mignott/DeFodi Images/DeFodi via Getty Images)
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Evans is joined in Carrick's coaching staff by another former defender, Jonathan Woodgate, who's been helping both Heaven and team-mate Leny Yoro. "Me and Leny always do extras with Jonathan Woodgate and Jonny Evans, and we are always learning and helping each other a lot," Heaven explained.
"We still have a lot to learn, because we are still very young. The guys help us, and we are always trying to improve."
Although he's only been used as a substitute since Carrick became his boss, Heaven is developing well and enjoyed a string of starts before Amorim was sacked in January. With Maguire suspended for United's next match on April 13, he could find himself starting against Leeds for his 16th appearance of the season.