Ayden Heaven is awaiting news on the injury he sustained against Leicester and his absence could pave the way for the next Manchester United starlet to make his bow
Sport
Michael Ham, Michael Hamilton and Alex James
12:56, 19 Mar 2025
Manchester United's Godwill Kukonki warms up
Manchester United's Godwill Kukonki could be called into action
Ayden Heaven's early rise at Manchester United following his move at the start of the year has hit the buffers due to an ill-timed injury that saw him stretchered off during the win over Leicester.
The youngster, just 18, who arrived from Arsenal in January, made his way into Ruben Amorim's first team with ease but now both he and the club are anxious to find out the severity of his knock.
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Heaven's absence couldn't come at a worse time for United, who are already stretched thin at the back. Lisandro Martinez is out for the season, while Harry Maguire, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, and Jonny Evans were all MIA for the Leicester clash on Sunday, which United won 3-0 thanks to goals from Rasmus Hojlund, Alejandro Garnacho and Bruno Fernandes.
After the injury to Heaven, Amorim was playing his cards close to his chest on the severity of the injury. "We will see next week," he said. "It's hard to understand because even when he's on the ground, he can't speak, he doesn't know how to explain what he's feeling because he's so young. It's hard to understand what he's feeling."
But as one door closes, another opens – and Heaven's potential lengthy stint on the sidelines could pave the way for the next Red Devils superstar to grab their shot.
Ayden Heaven of Manchester United is stretchered off
Ayden Heaven was stretchered off at Leicester(Image: Carl Recine/Getty Images)
Enter Godwill Kukonki, whose skills have not gone unnoticed by boss Amorim this season. With a killer left foot like the former Gunner Heaven, 17-year-old Kukonki fits right into Amorim's new tactical plans, reports the Manchester Evening News.
Back in December, Amorim went on record with his praise of Kukonki, saying he could handle life in the Premier League: "He's 16, but he impressed me a lot, so it's also a sign to the youth players that they can be here," Amorim said.
"If something happened with the first team, they have to step up and I think he's ready, he's very adult to handle the Premier League's demands."
Godwill Kukonki in training
Manchester United defender Godwill Kukonki in training(Image: Ash Donelon/Manchester United FC)
Amorim had a good look at several academy players during first-team training back in November and was particularly taken with Kukonki after a good showing.
The youngster even made the trip to Ipswich as part of the senior squad for Amorim's debut match in charge and also warmed the bench against Arsenal the following month.
He's been rubbing shoulders with the first team ever since, and United insiders reckon his technical prowess and physical attributes make him ripe for senior football if needed.
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Kukonki is still waiting for his first-team bow for United, but he could be up next if Heaven is ruled out for a few weeks.
The centre-back was born in England but could also represent Congo, which has led DR Congo's national team representatives to approach him about his international future.
The left-footed defender looks to be one for the future and something that could potentially help him is Amorim's 3-4-3 formation, allowing Kukonki to slot in on the left-hand side of the three at the back.