Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Manchester United had a stellar performance against Atletico Madrid, with Ayden Heaven continuing to build his case to be considered the permanent first choice.
Michael Carrick has raved about his team after the 2-1 win over Atletico Madrid on Saturday, admitting he had been pretty impressed with how his side performed.
Manchester United had multiple top performers, with Mason Mount and Andrey Santos absolutely brilliant in the midfield. Meanwhile, further back, Leny Yoro starred at right-back and at centre-back, Ayden Heaven was flawless.
Heaven continued his impressive pre-season alongside a Harry Maguire who looked like he was struggling with the pace of the game. But the 19-year-old had no such worries, once again looking like an elite centre-half.
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Manchester United v Atletico de Madrid - Pre-Season Friendly
Photo by Ash Donelon/Manchester United via Getty Images
Ayden Heaven is Manchester United’s first-choice centre-back
It isn’t a surprise anymore to see Ayden Heaven perform to such a high level, but the consistency with which he is showing it now makes it evident he is an elite centre-back, and this cannot be ignored.
Against Atletico, Heaven played the entire game, with only two other outfield players managing this feat, but it highlights how Carrick has perceived his pre-season performances.
Often, Heaven has fallen victim to his own transfer fee, costing just £1.5m; he has maybe not gotten the fast-tracking and consistent starts that his performances have warranted, but he is a talent that Carrick has now unleashed and can’t put back in the box.
Heaven being positioned as a regular starter in the left-centre-back position is long overdue, as he has been undeniable before under Carrick, before being pushed back to the bench for Lisandro Martinez.
But this time is different. Heaven is too good to deny anymore, and he simply has to start the season as United’s first-choice left-sided defender ahead of Martinez, being a better physical fit for Carrick.
He has earned it on the pitch, and with Lisandro Martinez impossible to rely on him due to his injury history. Pre-season has shown Heaven is ready right now, and United can’t look back.
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Heaven is among Manchester United’s biggest transfer success stories in history
Heaven has it all as a centre-back in the modern game, perfect with and without the ball, and has the athleticism to compete at the very highest level.
He is a league title-winning level centre-back in the making, and all of this cost United just £1.5m, which must be really frustrating for Arsenal.
If Carrick gives Heaven the games that he deserves, he will be in the England squad before the end of 2026. This, alongside playing for Manchester United and being excellent, sets him up as a £50m talent immediately.
This makes Heaven costing £1.5m one of the all-time bargains for United and reflects incredibly well on Jason Wilcox for his ability to find the defender.
It is easy to see why United have attempted to recreate this with Tynan Thompson. But above all, Heaven can’t be shunned back to the bench for Martinez again.