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Ayden Heaven signed from Arsenal for a fee of £1.5 million in the January transfer window.
Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven has been getting more of a chance in Ruben Amorim’s team as of late due to United’s current injury woes in defence. He started in United’s last two games due to injuries to Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire, and Jonny Evans, and he has impressed with his opportunity.
Heaven started in the 4-1 Europa League win against Real Sociedad, and during United’s last game, which was a 3-0 win against Leicester City in the Premier League. Club legend and record goal-scorer Wayne Rooney has now handed down his assessment of the 18-year-old’s early performances in a United shirt.
Rooney makes “fantastic” Heaven claim
Heaven, 18, was initially signed for United to be a part of the Under-21s side, like he was at Arsenal, however, due to their injury concerns, Heaven has become a more regular player for Amorim. Former United striker Wayne Rooney was quick to praise the 18-year-old. Rooney joined United when he was 18 too, and so knows the expectation of playing at Old Trafford.
He said on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday: “It’s a huge football club and at this time now, when maybe it’s not going right, to come in and play at 18 – it’s a lot of pressure because those expectations are on you from the first minute.
“But I think from the games he’s played he’s been fantastic. I came in as an 18-year-old at United and you do feel that pressure, but to come in as a centre-back - which is obviously a position where you can’t afford to make mistakes, otherwise you get punished – is very difficult.
“He looks like he’s been there for years and that’s the biggest compliment I can give him. He looks calm, he looks composed. He gives them good balance obviously with his left foot. He looks quick and he looks like he likes defending, so I think he’s a real coup for Manchester United.”
Heaven has made four first-team appearances for United since joining from Arsenal, and looks like that number will only increase for the remainder of the season.
Heaven seen in walking boot after Leicester win
The defender played a big role in United keeping a clean sheet against the Foxes on Sunday night, but it wasn’t all positive for him over the weekend. Heaven was seen to get injured during a challenge with Patson Daka in the second half, which forced Amorim to substitute the 18-year-old.
It is not yet clear as to what Heaven’s injury is, and how serious it is. After the game against Leicester, Amorim said: “It’s hard to know because we have to evaluate during the week.
“Even when he was on the ground he cannot speak and doesn’t know to explain what he’s feeling because he’s so young. He already played well against Arsenal and Real Sociedad. Today for me was the most difficult game for him because we expect him to relax a bit, but he was so focused.”
It was reported that Heaven was spotted leaving the King Power Stadium in a walking boot, but remains unclear whether this will be a long term issue or just a minor knock. He now has the international break to recover before United’s next game against Nottingham Forest on April 1.
In other news, Rasmus Hojlund has named the Manchester United player that he loves playing with.