Ayden Heaven has had a diminished role in the Manchester United first-team since Michael Carrick’s arrival, but this can’t continue against Aston Villa.
Earlier this season, under Ruben Amorim, Ayden Heaven was outstanding, even earning a player of the month award and justifiably so.
The 19-year-old played with real maturity, and his on-ball ability was rivalled only by Lisandro Martinez at centre-back.
However, with Martinez still out injured against Villa, Carrick needs to make a change to start Heaven as he offers exactly what has been lacking in the Argentine’s absence.
Ayden Heaven jogging in red Manchester United kit.
Photo by Mark Cosgrove/News Images/NurPhoto via Getty Images
Ayden Heaven was a BARGAIN… How much is he worth now?
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Ayden Heaven needs to start for Manchester United against Aston Villa
Martinez’s injury situation is worse than thought, and therefore, United won’t have him back, which continues the lack of passing quality out of defence.
However, Heaven could fill that role really well right now and offer United ball progression, line-breaking passes and press resistance, which the left side doesn’t have with right-footed Harry Maguire.
Heaven has already proven this season that he’s ready to play, including with a strong performance against Villa back in December’s 2-1 defeat.
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United’s lack of left footers in the team severely harms to balance of the system, causing the team to be funnelled toward the right side, but having a left footer back on the left side of central defence allows the pitch to become a lot more open and therefore more space moving forward.
This means dropping one of Leny Yoro and Harry Maguire to the bench, but it would be worthwhile to create balance in the team for Carrick, and, importantly, a player who can start attacks from the back with his passing range and vision.
In his outings this season, Heaven is statistically a top one per cent defender on the ball, which is a massive part of his game, but he is also a great defender and deserves to play more than he currently does.
Michael Carrick unleashing Heaven against Villa would likely be the start of his place as a first choice, and the end of Martinez’s.
Wes Brown is backing Ayden Heaven! Do you share his confidence?
“I think we’ve said it every time he’s played: he’s been excellent. He’s done his job and hasn’t looked out of place in any way.”
Wes Brown
Ayden Heaven taking on Fiorentina
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United need to be looking beyond Lisandro Martinez
Martinez being injured again was frustrating, but the fact that it is another long-term absence shows that United need to move on from considering him a starter.
United haven’t signed a senior left-footed defender in four years, with Martinez considered world-class, and when fit, this is true. However, his fitness is unignorable. It has always been that United are waiting for Martinez to get back, but at 28, his injury problems aren’t going to get any better.
For this reason, United need to be looking to the future.
United have a future league-leading duo in Heaven and Yoro, but they won’t get to become good enough unless they are given opportunities to grow together.
So against Villa, Carrick needs to commit to Heaven and keep him there for the rest of this season, even when Martinez returns, only making an exception in games like the Liverpool clash. Yoro can start intermittently with Maguire, but the left side needs Heaven’s passing.
Heaven can prove himself worthy of the position long-term before the summer and nail down his place. As there aren’t many defenders on the market who can do what he does.
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