Ayden Heaven down injured during Leicester City vs Manchester United
Ayden Heaven down injured during Leicester City vs Manchester United
Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven was carried off the field on a stretcher after picking up an injury in United's Premier League game away at Leicester City.
The teenage defender, who joined from Arsenal midway through the season, made his first senior start against Real Sociedad in the Europa League after injuries to colleagues. However, he became the latest to suffer an injury blow early in the second half at the King Power Stadium.
United head coach Ruben Amorim was already without several senior defenders for the game. Leny Yoro, Jonny Evans, Luke Shaw and Harry Maguire were all missing, while Lisandro Martinez is a long-term absentee thanks to an ACL injury.
Heaven started the game in a back three with Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof. With no senior centre-backs on the bench, though, it was midfielder Toby Collyer who took his place five minutes into the second period.
[
Antony reveals change that's led to stunning form as Man Utd transfer decision made](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/transfer-news/manutd-antony-betis-transfer-amorim-34870563)
[
Ruben Amorim can’t stop laughing over ‘one thing’ that Man Utd fans keep telling him](https://www.mirror.co.uk/sport/football/news/ruben-amorim-manchester-united-fans-34869921)
Heaven's injury came in what looked like innocuous circumstances. He went down after helping shepherd the ball out of play, but immediately signalled that he needed to come off.
"Heaven signalled to the bench straight away," former Premier League footballer Clinton Morrison said during BBC Radio 5 Live's coverage. "Maybe he rolled something but you've got to hope the young man is alright."
When United boss Amorim turned to his bench, Collyer moved into the right wing-back position. Noussair Mazraoui, who started at wing-back with Patrick Dorgu serving the final game of his suspension, moved to centre-back.
Ayden Heaven leaving the field on a stretcher
Ayden Heaven leaving the field on a stretcher ( Image: PA)
The injury came at an unfortunate time for both player and club. Just days before the game, Amorim had hailed Heaven after his accomplished debut.
“I really like his confidence, I like his pace,” Amorim told reporters on Friday. “I think he’s good in defending the box. I think he’s quite complete, but he has a lot of work to do.”
There will be more to follow on this breaking news story andMirror Sport will bring you the very latest updates, pictures and video as soon as possible.
Pleasecheck back regularly for updates on this developing story.
Follow us onGoogle News,Flipboard,Apple News,Twitter,Facebook or visitThe Mirror homepage.