January signing Ayden Heaven had an immediate impact on Manchester United when he stepped up into the first team last month.
It came out of nowhere in January when Manchester United’s move for Ayden Heaven went from rumour to confirmed. The central defender was previously unheard of amongst the Red Devils fanbase.
Heaven was seen as having a ‘lion mentality’ at Arsenal, which likely played a role in United’s decision to bring him into the club with visions of the 18-year-old playing an immediate part in the first team.
The English youth star cost just £1m and has already shown that fee was an absolute bargain as he stepped up into Amorim’s selection after Lisandro Martinez’s season was ended by ACL injury.
Upon stepping into the team, Heaven was an immediate favourite for United fans with his brilliant on-ball ability and defensive quality making him look like a player who had lots of experience opposed to a debutant.
Heaven was superb for United in the few games he played a key role in. This was the case for the teenager, right up until Heaven picked up an injury against Leicester City.
Ayden Heaven shares injury update with Manchester United fans
When Heaven writhed around in pain on the touchline at the King Power Stadium, the worst was assumed. Dion Dublin hinted that Heaven could have picked up a bad injury, however, it was not as bad as feared.
Early in the international break, it emerged that Heaven’s injury was not as bad as many thought, and that he could actually be set for a return in the coming weeks.
Now, ahead of the Manchester derby, Heaven has shared a three-word message on his injury status with an Instagram story.
Heaven wrote, “Soon back Reds!”, followed with a heart emoji and a picture of the defender in action against Real Sociedad last month.
Without reading too much into this, it would appear that Heaven will be the next player to return from injury for United, following Kobbie Mainoo’s expected return against Man City. Heaven won’t make the derby, but this message does suggest it won’t be far off.
Manchester United needs Ayden Heaven to return
Three months ago, suggesting that Heaven would be a huge miss would have looked like a ridiculous statement, with some real hesitancy over the central defender and whether he would ultimately be good enough to make an impact.
Now, though, the question has been answered, and it comes with a resounding yes.
Heaven is needed in Amorim’s system due to his brilliant left foot, which the other centre-back options in the team currently don’t have. The potential absence of Matthijs de Ligt through injury also means Amorim will be desperate for Heaven’s return so that he can field a trio of Heaven, Maguire and Yoro, which on paper looks very strong.
Heaven won’t be back this weekend, and it is also unlikely to be next weekend, having not yet trained, but perhaps leg two of the Europa League quarter-final is where he will make his mark.
So it is exciting to hear that Heaven’s return is coming soon.
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