Ayden Heaven, the young Manchester United defender, is making waves at Old Trafford following his transfer from Arsenal earlier this year. The promising 19-year-old, who also spent time in West Ham's youth academy, signed a four-and-a-half-year deal with United in February and has since made 11 appearances for the first team. Heaven's rise to prominence includes an assist in United's Premier League victory over Brighton in October.
He has started two top-flight matches under Ruben Amorim this season, including the recent 4-1 triumph over Wolves where he was part of a back three with Luke Shaw and Noussair Mazraoui. The teenager's move followed that of forward Chido Obi-Martin, another highly-rated youngster who swapped Arsenal for United's academy late in 2024. However, Arsenal's decision to let such a bright prospect go was influenced by another emerging talent in their ranks.
As per the Daily Mail, 16-year-old Marli Salmon, currently in Arsenal's academy, is being touted as the next big thing, drawing comparisons with first-team star William Saliba and the nickname 'baby Saliba'. The Gunners believe Salmon, following in the footsteps of Max Dowman, has a clear route to the senior squad.
During the midweek Champions League victory over Club Brugge, Salmon was introduced from the bench as Mikel Arteta grappled with a defensive injury crisis. The report says that Arsenal's hierarchy were comfortable allowing Heaven to depart for United, given their confidence in Salmon's long-term potential.
United, naturally, are reaping the rewards of that faith, having secured a hugely talented prospect in Heaven. The youngster is already winning Ruben Amorim's confidence in crucial Premier League fixtures.
Following the triumph over Wolves, where he featured in consecutive league matches, Heaven reflected: "There's so many great defenders at this club that he's trusting you to be at the middle of that defence.
"He [Amorim] is trusting me a lot. I feel like I'm working hard every day in training and I'm showing he can trust me in the games that I'm playing.
"I thought I was a good player but I knew that I first had to gain the trust of the manager and slowly I know I'm doing that. I feel like I'm doing well at the moment, but I've just got to keep working."