Michael Carrick has dropped a powerful assessment of the role of Ayden Heaven in his Manchester United squad amid Lisandro Martinez’s ongoing suspension at the club.
Lisandro Martinez was unable to feature in Manchester United’s 1-0 win over Chelsea at Stamford Bridge due to his three-match Premier League suspension.
Michael Carrick has also been without Harry Maguire in recent weeks due to suspension, while Matthijs de Ligt has been a long-term injury absentee.
The unavailability of Martinez, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt has provided Ayden Heaven a key opening for securing United first-team minutes this season.
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Michael Carrick praises Ayden Heaven’s performance against Chelsea ahead of the Man Utd vs Brentford match
Michael Carrick relied on Ayden Heaven to play alongside Noussair Mazraoui during the visit to Stamford Bridge for Manchester United’s encounter with Chelsea.
Noussair Mazraoui was used as a makeshift centre-back after Leny Yoro was absent for the match alongside Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
Both Heaven and Mazraoui saw out the full 90 minutes of the Chelsea match and the United duo ensured that the Red Devils chalked up a clean sheet away from home.
Speaking at his pre-match press conference, United legend Carrick was full of high praise for the performance that the teenage Heaven produced at Stamford Bridge.
“I think we’ve got a mixed blend there of experience, of real quality and some young – I’d say more than talented really – two [Yoro and Heaven] promising, young players that have already shown what they can do,” he said, as per Manchester United’s official website.
“I thought Ayden was fantastic last week in such a difficult game. I haven’t got concerns.”
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Man Utd interim boss Michael Carrick on the absence of Lisandro Martinez due to his controversial sending off
Martinez will miss a further two Premier League matches for the Red Devils after his controversial sending off in Man Utd’s 2-1 defeat to Leeds United at Old Trafford.
Carrick expressed his disappointment at being without Martinez’s key influence on the pitch amid the injuries and suspensions to Man Utd’s defensive options.
“It’s not an area of concern for me at this moment in time,” he explained.
“At the moment and timing-wise, talking about the summer and what goes beyond that, it’s difficult to elaborate on that really.
“Licha’s missing games for different reasons at the minute, which we won’t go into, but I understand why you are asking it. But no, I haven’t got concerns.”
Man Utd will host Brentford on Monday evening for the Red Devils’ Premier League clash at Old Trafford, with kick-off slated for 8pm UK time.
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