Ayden Heaven was forced off injured during Manchester United's win over Leicester City last time out
Comments
Sport
Ayden Heaven of Manchester United looks on during the warm up prior to the Premier League match between Leicester City and United
Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven was forced off injured during the win over Leicester City
Manchester United have been handed an injury boost with the news that Ayden Heaven's injury is not thought to be serious.
The teenager was forced off early in the second half of the win over Leicester City last weekend with what initially looked like a serious injury. And while Heaven left the King Power Stadium wearing a protective boot, he was walking unaided.
Article continues below
The 18-year-old posted a message on Instagram this week that read: “Thank you guys for all the support! I have read all your messages, and I'm doing really well and recovering fast."
And the Manchester Evening News understands that Heaven is now out of his protective boot and has a chance of resuming training after the international break. United do not have a fixture until they face Nottingham Forest on Tuesday April 1, potentially giving the former Arsenal man enough time to recover.
Heaven has made four appearances for United this season, including starting the last two games. The centre half has profited from injury issues at the back with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, Luke Shaw and Jonny Evans all sidelined.
But the youngster has grasped his opportunity with two impressive and composed displays in starts against Real Sociedad and Leicester before injury struck against the Foxes.
Heaven arrived at United from Arsenal in the January transfer window. He was signed as a first team option despite only being 18 and having just one senior appearance for the Gunners - in a Carabao Cup tie at Preston North End last September - to his name.
He has impressed United boss Ruben Amorim since his arrival at Old Trafford and has been rewarded with a first team opportunity.
Speaking after the game against Leicester, the United boss spoke about how pleased he had been with Heaven's progress.
“Yeah, he already did that [showed promise] against Arsenal and today, and against Real Sociedad," said Amorim. “Today was for me the most difficult game for him, because he plays so well against Real Sociedad, and we expect always for these young kids to relax a little bit. But he was so focused and he played quite well, so let’s hope for the best.”
Heaven joined United for an undisclosed compensation fee, thought to be worth more than £1million. He signed a four and a half year contract at Old Trafford.
United are 13th in the Premier League table with nine games remaining. They face a Europa League quarter-final tie with French club Lyon next month as they seek to end the campaign with a trophy and a route into European football next season.