Manchester United youngster Ayden Heaven was very impressive once again prior to being forced off against Leicester City with an injury.
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Wayne Rooney speaks on BBC Match of the Day.
Wayne Rooney has lauded Ayden Heaven.(Image: BBC Sport/Match of the Day.)
Former Manchester United captain Wayne Rooney has waxed lyrical about teenage centre-back Ayden Heaven following his performance in Sunday night's 3-0 win over Leicester City.
After being awarded his full debut against Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday night, Heaven was handed his full Premier League debut at the King Power Stadium, starting on the left of the back-three alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof.
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However, his evening was ended prematurely when he was forced off shortly after half-time with a serious-looking injury. He was attended to by both United and Leicester medics before being carried off on a stretcher.
He later left the ground wearing a protective boot, but he was able to walk unaided. Prior to being forced off he had been excellent, both with and without the ball, producing two clearances, two tackles, blocking two shots and completing 88 per cent of his attempted passes.
He has enjoyed a strong start to his United career, offering no shortage of composure and calmness in the back-three. And in the opinion of Rooney, he has been playing as though he is a seasoned operator.
Rooney told Match of the Day: "Obviously, it is a huge football club, but at this time now where it is not maybe going right, to come in and play for Manchester United at 18, it is a lot of pressure.
"Those expectations are on you from the first minute. But I think in the games he has played, I think he has been fantastic.
"I came in as an 18-year-old at Manchester United and you do feel that pressure. But to come in as a centre-back, which is a position where you cannot afford to make mistakes as you get punished, it is very difficult.
"But he looks like he has been there for years - and that is the biggest compliment I can give him."
Ayden Heaven in possession for Manchester United away at Leicester City.
Ayden Heaven has not put a foot wrong since joining Manchester United.
Heaven joined United from Arsenal at the start of February after the two clubs agreed on a compensation fee. Despite only making one substitute appearances for the Gunners, Rooney has described his addition to the squad as a "coup" for his old side.
"He has come in from Arsenal so he knows what it is like to be at a big club; I think that will have helped him," Rooney added.
"He doesn't look like he is playing with pressure, he looks calm, he's composed, he gives them good balance with his left foot, he looks quick and he looks like he likes defending. I think he is a real coup for Manchester United."