Ayden Heaven
Image credit: Getty Images
Promising England U19 defender Ayden Heaven has opened up about his decision to leave boyhood club Arsenal for Manchester United, shedding light on what motivated the high-profile switch between two of the Premier League’s biggest rivals.
Heaven, 18, spent five years at Arsenal after joining the club’s academy at age 14. Widely regarded as one of the Gunners’ top youth prospects, he trained with the first team during the 2023–24 season and featured prominently in Mikel Arteta’s pre-season squad. He made his senior debut in October but only managed two additional appearances before sealing a move to Manchester United late in the January transfer window.
The defender signed a four-and-a-half-year deal at Old Trafford and wasted little time impressing head coach Ruben Amorim. His performances in training were strong enough to earn him a substitute appearance against his former club in a Premier League clash in March.
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Heaven went on to make five more appearances for United, including a debut in the Europa League, before a late-season injury against Leicester City temporarily halted his progress. He returned in time for United’s final two league matches and is expected to play a key role in pre-season ahead of a potential breakthrough 2025–26 campaign.
Ayden Heaven
Ayden Heaven vying for the ball against Arsenal forward Gabriel Martinelli (Image credit: Getty Images)
With Arsenal currently more stable and successful than Manchester United, some questioned the timing and wisdom of Heaven’s move. But the teenager has now revealed the reasons behind his decision.
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“The opportunities that the young players have got here in the past,” Heaven toldMUTV. “I think United had the most minutes given to teenagers last season. That convinced me to come here.”
Ayden Heaven also praised the club’s atmosphere, saying: “The people and the fans here are quite loving, and I felt that when I was playing. They’re so supportive.”
The young defender credited a conversation with manager Ruben Amorim as another key factor in his decision.
“He just said that our play style will suit me, because they play three at the back and I play on the left of the three, so that allows me to run with the ball,” he said. “That’s one of my strengths. And defending out wide is one of my strengths as well.”
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