Ayden Heaven: National team boss allays fears over serious injury to Man United defender | OneFootball

Ayden Heaven has not had the start to the 2025/26 season he hoped for.

The 19‑year‑old joined Manchester United from Arsenal’s academy last winter.

INEOS have been intent on recruiting some of the world’s brightest prospects to build a talent pool capable of underpinning a dominant United future.

So when word spread that Heaven wanted to leave Arsenal, they moved quickly, beating Barcelona, Chelsea and Eintracht Frankfurt to his signature.

Beating European giants to Heaven’s signing was seen as a coup.

Although initially viewed as “one for the future”, his brilliance at Carrington soon won over Ruben Amorim and his coaching staff.

Earned his opportunities

He went on to make seven senior appearances, which was impressive for a player who had not featured in top‑flight football before.

His rise continued as he played a prominent role in United’s post‑season and pre‑season friendlies.

But 10 games into the new campaign, while Heaven has regularly made United’s matchday squads, he has struggled for minutes.

Out of more than 900 minutes of football this season, he has been afforded just 68.

It has been a frustrating spell for the young defender, which could have been made worse by what has happened to him on international duty.

Injury scare

A regular for England’s Under‑20s, Heaven was named in Ben Futcher’s starting line‑up for their friendly against Switzerland on Friday, 10 October.

But moments after kick‑off, the Red Devil went down injured and required lengthy treatment before continuing.

He played out the first half but did not return after the break.

Promising update

The incident left United fans concerned, adding to existing injury worries over Lisandro Martínez and Noussair Mazraoui. But England U20 boss Futcher moved to calm fears after the game.

“He picked something up,” Futcher told the BBC. “I don’t think it is too serious, but we’ll have to see how it settles down.”

Unfortunately for Heaven, the Young Lions slipped to a 1‑0 defeat.

Either way, the hope is that his injury is not serious, that he passes his fitness test, and that he gets back to grafting as he waits for his opportunities under Amorim.

Given how reliant Amorim’s system is on central backs, he can ill afford a defensive injury crisis.

Injury boost

There is some good news for United, though. Martínez is closing in on a return, while Mazraoui has been spotted back in training with Morocco. Soon, Amorim could have all his defenders fit and available for selection.

Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images

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