We are only a month away from preseason commencing, yet already Ayden Heaven is working to improve ahead of his second season with Manchester United.
If there is one thing Ruben Amorim values highly, it is hard work.
Amorim made this clear with his demand for the post-season tour, in which he told young players that he wanted to see them working hard, which means he should be impressed by several.
One of the standouts in Manchester United’s tour win against Hong Kong was Ayden Heaven, who shone in the centre of the back three with his passing proving a massive positive.
Heaven only cost United £1.5m and yet already looks like a £30m player based on the limited first-team minutes he has had thus far.
After impressing early, Heaven is set for a big 2025-26, and in advance of this, he has been putting in extra work to improve.
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Yu Chun Christopher Wong/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ayden Heaven is putting in the work to improve for Manchester United
Heaven looked excellent in the post-season tour, and he may go into next season as a starter for Amorim. Having arrived as a bargain in January from Arsenal, Amorim has thanked Jason Wilcox for signing Heaven.
Now, the 18-year-old is on his summer holidays, but is using the time to improve his game for next season.
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This comes from journalist Nathan Salt, who shared images from Heaven’s agent, Rare Diamond Management, on Instagram, showing that the teenager is busy working on improvements while others are on holiday.
Heaven has been doing personal work with coach Andy Mangan, in which it appears that he has been studying game tape and working on body positioning in defensive situations.
Really interesting, this.
Ayden Heaven doing some personal coaching/game study with coach Andy Mangan.
Players are “off” but Heaven is busy working.
📸 IG | rarediamondmanagement#mufc pic.twitter.com/OxXJR5g0gc
— Nathan Salt (@NathSalt1) June 9, 2025
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Heaven has clearly identified his weakness as a defender by doing this, as he has shown at times that he needs to improve in his defensive positioning.
As a coach, Mangan is highly rated and only work permit rules denied him a move to work alongside Carlo Ancelotti at Real Madrid in 2024, as per The Guardian, which shows his pedigree and how much Heaven can learn from him.
Ayden Heaven should be a starter for Ruben Amorim
Despite suffering through some injury blows in the opening six months at United, Heaven is already established within the first team, and based on the minutes he has played, he could be a nailed-on starter next season.
Heaven is strong, fast, and excellent on the ball. While only being 18, he has so much improvement in him that it is ludicrous to think Arsenal let him go for just £1.5m.
As things stand, Heaven will likely start the 2025-26 season as a starter on the left of the back three.
Heaven and Leny Yoro on either side of the back three is an excellent duo, while in between them, Harry Maguire’s experience will be vital for next season.
Heaven is set for a big breakout season, and he is sure to continue making Arsenal regret selling.