Manchester United wonderkid Ayden Heaven made his Premier League debut against former club Arsenal.
Ayden Heaven was sent on at half-time for Manchester United against former club Arsenal, and looked perfectly at home on the big stage at Old Trafford.
Heaven is now a genuine first team option for head coach Ruben Amorim at centre-back, and could become the ‘generational talent’ United’s scouting department hope he will turn out to be.
The 18-year-old helped a depleted United to a 1-1 draw against Arsenal, and showed personality and quality during his performance against the team he departed in the winter transfer window.
Photo by Alex Livesey - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by Alex Livesey – Danehouse/Getty Images
Rio Ferdinand on Ayden Heaven
Ayden Heaven‘s performance was praised by Manchester United supporters, along with the pundits on MUTV.
His teammates also had kind words for him after his display, and now former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has chimed in.
Ferdinand told his YouTube channel that he was particularly impressed with the motivation Heaven showed up against his former teammates.
He said: “I saw a man looking like, I ain’t gonna let Arsenal beat me today, like, because there’s a pride on it.
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“You go to your old club, it’s quite an emotional thing, and there’s a lot of pressure to come into.
“You got to prove now, why I’m here, and I’ve left you lot, and I’m playing in the first team. Now this is why.
“That’s a big pressure, and I thought he handled it really well.”
Ruben Amorim praised Ayden Heaven
Speaking following the game, Ruben Amorim praised Ayden Heaven, picking out the aspects of the defender’s game that stood out.
“I think he did really well. He is really comfortable with the ball. So relaxed, very aggressive and I think we have a very good player there.”
Ferdinand said he approved of Amorim’s comments and believes they will help Heaven build on his promising showing.
He said: “I really like it, and [being] really positive about him will be great for his confidence. And I think he’s been justified going to Man United at this point, because he’s playing right now.”
Heaven was one of United’s winners to emerge from the game against the Gunners, and is a useful player to have right now, along with being a top prospect for the future.