Manchester United have two of the most talented young centre-backs in England right now with Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro, as both are tipped for greatness.
Despite the two youngsters already proving they can play Premier League football, Manchester United are yet to start them together in a back four.
Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro are 19 and 20, respectively, yet both play to a level well beyond their years, which is exciting for Manchester United.
With the injuries and Harry Maguire’s suspension, Michael Carrick could unleash a Heaven-Yoro partnership as soon as the Leeds clash at Old Trafford. Now, Andy Mitten has shared what he’s heard about the pair.
Leny Yoro of Manchester United speaks to Ayden Heaven at the end of the Premier League match between Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United at Molineux on December 8, 2025
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Are you confident Leny Yoro and Ayden Heaven can handle Leeds with Harry Maguire suspended?
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Andy Mitten on Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro
Speaking on the latest episode of the Talk of the Devils podcast, Mitten has revealed what he’s hearing from a top professional about Heaven and Yoro.
“Someone said to me last week, who plays at an extremely high level, that he sees Leny and Heaven as a long-term central defensive partnership for Manchester United, and I thought that was very complimentary, compared them to both to the two centre-halves at Arsenal.”
This comparison is to Gabriel and William Saliba, who have widely been labelled as the best duo in club football right now, meaning it is quite the praise.
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Additionally, Heaven and Yoro are compared to Nemanja Vidic and Rio Ferdinand. Becoming anywhere near as good as these partnerships would mean United have a potential title-winning combination which could last for a decade.
What are your expectations for Leny Yoro’s Man Utd career?
Yoro graphic
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Heaven and Yoro should get opportunities together
In recent weeks, Yoro has proven himself for United, getting better and better as he accumulates a run of games. He now looks completely composed and assured in that role, and Michael Carrick cannot rip him out of the starting line-up.
Yoro has earned his place, and it should now be the question of who partners with him at the back. Lisandro Martinez is the clear choice.
However, Heaven needs to be playing more football, which means against Leeds, it should be these two who start together as a view to the near future.
Heaven and Yoro are close off the pitch, and it should be a priority to start utilising this on the pitch as next season they should be relied on a lot more.
Next season, United can’t rely on injury-prone Matthijs de Ligt and Martinez, nor on ageing Maguire. So it’s time to trust the future.
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