Middlesbrough should plot Man Utd transfer if promoted - Michael Carrick could offer huge favour | OneFootball

Middlesbrough should look to bring in Ayden Heaven from Manchester United on loan in the summer

With the EFL Championship season approaching its final stages, Middlesbrough's hopes of Premier League football are still well and truly alive, with Kim Hellberg's side's fate set to go to the wire.

It's been an extraordinary season on Teesside for Middlesbrough.

Under Rob Edwards, Boro emerged as one of the best teams in the league, though after he jumped ship for Premier League side Wolverhampton Wanderers after just 16 games, there were worries that the club could be driven off course.

Swedish boss Hellberg stepped in and stepped up, and not only have Boro maintained their strong form, but they've arguably got even better, with automatic promotion still a real possibility at this stage of the campaign.

Both Ipswich Town and Millwall are breathing down their necks, as Hellberg's side can't afford too many more slip-ups, otherwise their route to the Premier League will be decided via the play-offs.

Should Boro go on and achieve one of those top two places, additions will need to be made across the board to prepare the side for the Premier League, with recruits in defence a particular priority.

Whilst Adilson Malanda has come into the squad seamlessly, reservations remain over whether Luke Ayling can return to the top flight at this stage in his career, whilst Dael Fry, Darragh Lenihan, Alfie Jones, and George Edmundson may not be cut out for the Premier League.

With that in mind, Hellberg must prepare for recruits this summer in the event of promotion, and should return to an old Boro friend for a favour.

Middlesbrough should look to strike a deal with Michael Carrick and Manchester United for Ayden Heaven

At just 19, left-footed centre-back Ayden Heaven emerged as a regular at Manchester United under Ruben Amorim this season as part of the Portuguese's back three formation.

Having spent the bulk of his youth career with West Ham United and then Arsenal, the England youth international joined the Red Devils in January 2025 and has since gone on to make 20 first-team appearances at Old Trafford.

However, since Amorim's dismissal and Carrick's appointment, Heaven has seen his game time slashed, with the former Boro boss immediately reverting to a back four formation upon his return, with Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, and Leny Yoro ahead of him in the pecking order.

With left-footed ball-playing defenders a rare commodity, his talent cannot be afforded to waste on the bench for too long, with his best course of action likely being a loan move away from the club to earn more minutes.

Should Boro be a Premier League side next season, they should be picking up the phone to their former gaffer to discuss a loan agreement for Heaven, who could slot into their back line with ease.

Capable of also playing as a left-back, Heaven would be a huge upgrade on Boro's current options despite his age, and could easily elevate their defence to the next level.

With Heaven benefiting from the experience of regular first-team football in a defence that would likely be under more pressure than most, whilst Boro benefit from having someone of his ability in their ranks, Hellberg should jump at the chance to ask Carrick this favour if promotion is secured.

Ayden Heaven would be an exceptional signing for Kim Hellberg and Middlesbrough

Despite still only being a teenager, Heaven has already solidified himself as a capable Premier League defender.

With obvious gaps still in his game, time is more than on his side to iron out those weaknesses and become an excellent player in the top tier, and he simply must get some regular minutes to accelerate his progression.

Heaven would likely slot in as the left-sided centre-back of Middlesbrough's back four formation, already possessing more experience of top-flight English football than all of Boro's current options combined.

In a move that would only benefit all parties, Carrick should sanction this favour to Middlesbrough this summer on the condition that promotion to the Premier League is secured.