Rio Ferdinand sent a message to former team-mate Michael Carrick following Manchester United's 2-2 draw with Everton at Hill Dickinson Stadium
Rio Ferdinand
Rio Ferdinand
View 2 Images
Rio Ferdinand has told Michael Carrick that Ayden Heaven is good enough to be starting for Manchester United now. The Reds signed Heaven from Arsenal in February last year in a deal worth up to £1.5million.
But after impressing last season, the 19-year-old has only made one appearance so far this season, which came against Hull City on the opening day. Heaven was overlooked again on Sunday during his side’s 2-2 draw with Everton, with Leny Yoro getting the nod to come on in the closing stages.
And Ferdinand, speaking on Rio Presents YouTube channel, made a comparison between the two young stars and their teammates when it comes to their physical attributes: "We bought Yoro (on).
"Yoro I thought he would be a bit further ahead than he is now, he's taken a little bit longer to push up that ceiling and fulfil that potential. I think it's still going to come, but I think it's been slower than anticipated, 100%.
"Heaven, I think he could play now, but the manager's making a choice and decision and he wants to go with what he's got. But I would always have one of those two in the backline just for pace at this level, 100%.
"There's players in the building at centre-half, there's five players there. Obviously [Mathijs] De Ligt's not fit."
Ayden Heaven in action for Manchester United against Hull City on the opening day of the season
View 2 Images
United have failed to keep a clean sheet in any of their first three Premier League games, and have conceded two goals in each of those games.
"Manchester United are conceding two goals a game. From a United perspective you cannot concede two goals a game," Gary Neville said on his Sky Sports Podcast.
"This liability of conceding goals, I don't think it's going to go away and that is my big fear, I don't think it's going to go away. I think conceding goals is going to chase them and hunt them down the road."