Ayden Heaven: Players and pundits drool over teenager’s Boxing Day masterclass

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·28 dicembre 2025

Ayden Heaven: Players and pundits drool over teenager’s Boxing Day masterclass

A highly experimental Manchester United side found a way to overcome Newcastle United on Boxing Day.

Star showing

Numerous players such as Patrick Dorgu and Lisandro Martinez impressed as United kept only their second clean sheet of the season.

OneFootball Video

Nonetheless, 19-year-old Ayden Heaven’s performance particularly stood out.

The defender has not even been at the club for a year, having joined from Arsenal’s academy in the previous winter window.

After a tough start to the season, Heaven has taken advantage of United’s injury problems in defence and has become one of the first names on the team sheet recently.

After playing just 28 minutes in the first 13 Premier League matches, he has been heavily involved in the last five matches.

Pundit and former United star Gary Neville had some kind words for the defender after the match, claiming he had put in a “special” performance where he was “absolutely brilliant” all evening.

Further praise

Speaking on Sky Sports (in comments via The Mirror), Roy Keane also heaped praise on Heaven, stating, “he did very well. The game suited him. He has learnt his trade. These are basic parts of defending. It gives you confidence. Outstanding.”

Neville also added, “Manchester United hung in there. Heaven was absolutely brilliant. Those Newcastle players… four or five of them collapsed to the ground at the end. Heaven has been the man of the match.”

It was not only pundits but also teammates who appreciated the fine efforts of the teenager.

Heaven posted on Instagram after the match, “What a game, what a team performance we have to build on this! Proud to get MOTM.”

Numerous United stars responded in the comments, with Amad claiming, “Prime Ayden”.

Lisandro Martinez also posted, “Top Ayden. Top”. Bryan Mbeumo, Shea Lacey and Patrick Dorgu were also active on social media to show their appreciation for Heaven.