Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba have been excellent centre-backs for several years, with some at Manchester United feeling as though two of their players can match the Arsenal duo
Manchester United feel as though they have two defenders that can reach the level of Arsenal duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes
Manchester United feel as though they have two defenders that can reach the level of Arsenal duo William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes
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Some Manchester United staff members are said to believe that Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro can be the club's own version of Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba. Yoro has made a strong impression since joining from Lille, while Heaven showed his quality last weekend in United's huge 1-0 victory over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge.
The Arsenal duo have been putting in performances like that for a number of years and have arguably been the best defensive partnership in the world over the last few years. According to The Athletic, there are some at United that are of the belief that Heaven and Yoro will develop to be at the level of Gabriel and Saliba.
The report does, however, add that United are expected to be me in the market for a new defender to cope with European football next season. It is specifically stated that United would like to sign an imposing left-footed centre-back with some doubts over Martinez and Matthijs de Ligt after injury-hit campaign.
The club believe Heaven is on the way to establishing himself as one of those but is not seemingly at the required level just yet.
United signed the teenager from the Gunners in January 2025 with a pathway into the first-team unclear for the 19-year-old, largely due to Gabriel and Saliba.
The win over Chelsea last Saturday was his first start under Michael Carrick with Yoro injured while Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez were both suspended. He was joined by Noussair Mazraoui ahead of Senne Lammens with Diogo Dalot and Luke Shaw as the full-backs.
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On Heaven's impressive display, Carrick said: "Ayden, credit to him, coming in as a young player for one," said Carrick. "[He's] not played a lot of football recently, played for England Under-20s a couple of weeks ago, but to come into that environment is not something that you can take for granted, you know?
"So credit to him. We say the same things to young players all the time, sometimes they look at you as if, like, yeah good one or whatever, but in terms of training every day and looking after yourself and being ready, 'cause you never know when that comes.
Ayden Heaven of Manchester United looks on
Ayden Heaven was praised for his Manchester United display against Chelsea
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"He probably wouldn't have thought it would come at the moment with how it has gone, but he was there, he was prepared, and he took it in his stride magnificently."
Despite Heaven's display, he will more than likely come out of the starting XI for Monday's clash against Brentford with Maguire available and Yoro expected to be back.
That was Carrick's favoured centre-back partnership when Martinez, who will remain suspended for the next two games, was injured earlier this year.
However, as of Thursday morning, Yoro was still not in team training which will likely be good news to Heaven's chances of retaining his spot in the team.