Heaven will not switch allegiance from England to Ghana | OneFootball

Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven has decided against switching international allegiance from England to Ghana ahead of next summer’s World Cup.

The 19-year-old, who was born in London and qualifies to represent Ghana through a grandparent, has been on the radar of the Ghana Football Association as they explored potential additions to their squad.

Ghana have been drawn in the same World Cup group as England, Croatia and Panama for the tournament in the United States, Canada and Mexico.

However, according to BBC Sport, Heaven is keen to pursue a future with England at senior level. The defender has represented England across multiple youth age groups.

Heaven joined Manchester United from Arsenal in February after making a single senior appearance for the Gunners. His progress was briefly halted earlier this season when he suffered an ankle injury while playing for England’s Under-20s against Switzerland in October. Replaced at half-time in that match, he was subsequently left out of the squad for November’s fixture against Japan.

At club level, Heaven has continued to grow into his role. He made two substitute appearances for United in the Premier League before earning his first start against West Ham on 4 December, lining up in the centre of a back three.

Although he was booked early and withdrawn at half-time in that game, the teenager has started each of United’s four matches since, showing clear improvement with every outing.

Heaven impressed in the 2-1 defeat away at Aston Villa on 21 December and was named man of the match in Friday’s 1-0 win over Newcastle — a game that brought United just their second clean sheet of the league campaign.

Manager Ruben Amorim has praised the defender’s rapid development. “I am really pleased with Ayden. You can feel that he is improving every game.

“He is young, but you can feel that he has a good game, slows the thinking and improves during the game.

“He trained really well and, if he continues to play like that, it is going to be really hard to take his place.”