United Beyond Manchester

Ayden Heaven’s impressive play has caught the eye of Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney.

Heaven made his first appearance for United last weekend against his former club Arsenal after Leny Yoro went down injured.

The 18-year-old followed the debut 45 minutes with a start in the 4-1 demolition of Real Sociedad midweek. In that match, Heaven won all four of his duels and three tackles, made four clearances, and helped shut down Takefusa Kubo.

His best performance thus far came before his injury on Sunday. Against Leicester City, Heaven was outstanding, showing off his pace, instincts, and ability on the ball.

Speaking as a pundit on Match of the Day 2, Rooney said, “It’s a huge football club and at this time now, when maybe it’s not going right, to come in and play at 18 – it’s a lot of pressure, because those expectations are on you from the first minute.

“But I think from the games he’s played he’s been fantastic.

“I came in as an 18-year-old at United and you do feel that pressure, but to come in as a centre-back – which is obviously a position where you can’t afford to make mistakes, otherwise you get punished – is very difficult.

“He looks like he’s been there for years and that’s the biggest compliment I can give him.”

Ayden Heaven was signed from Arsenal as a first-team player, but no one could have anticipated this start. As Rooney mentions, Heaven has looked like a seasoned professional in his minimal first-team minutes and gives Ruben Amorim another future star at the back alongside Leny Yoro.

Manchester United will hope that Ayden Heaven recovers quickly from his leg injury and will be available again before the season ends.