‘Comfortable and assured’: Three ex-pros were all in complete agreement over Utd’s star’s impressive display

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·10 March 2025

‘Comfortable and assured’: Three ex-pros were all in complete agreement over Utd’s star’s impressive display

Albeit due to injuries, one Manchester United youngster is getting his chance earlier than he perhaps anticipated.

Indeed, 18-year-old Ayden Heaven only signed from Arsenal’s academy in the winter transfer window amid hopes he could soon play a key role at the heart of Ruben Amorim’s defence.

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He proceeded to be called upon in the Reds’ fifth-round FA Cup clash at home to Fulham on March 2, replacing the injured Harry Maguire to play the full 30 minutes of extra time – and he didn’t once look out of place amongst his senior counterparts.

Then, when Leny Yoro sustained a setback in the first half of Sunday’s Premier League contest at home to Arsenal, Heaven came off the bench at the interval to line up against the Gunners for the first time since his departure, while also making his senior bow in the competition.

The defender certainly impressed in his 45-minute cameo, during which he made three clearances, one interception and one tackle. He also earned more brownie points with the Old Trafford faithful when he was spotted rallying the supporters to make more noise, hoping to get one over on his former club.

Now that Yoro, Maguire, Lisandro Martinez and Jonny Evans are all nursing their own respective injuries, it may pave the way for Heaven to make his first-ever start in the coming days; United take on Real Sociedad in the second leg of their last-16 Europa League tie on Thursday before travelling to face Leicester City on Sunday evening.

Heaven singled out for praise after mature Arsenal display

Heaven was lapping up the support from those in attendance at Old Trafford. (Photo via Fabrizio Romano on X/Twitter)

Alan Shearer, Gary Lineker and Micah Richards, all spoke highly of the teenager when reacting to the weekend’s affairs on The Rest Is Football.

“Heaven came on, I love that name – Heaven. There’s a headline there to be had at some point. I thought he did really well,” said Lineker.

Shearer responded: “Yeah he did, I thought he did really well. He looked comfortable and assured and a couple of important tackles and blocks. Yeah, he did really well in the second half, he did.”

“I think when he watched the game, his first touch was a header because I always watch defenders when they come up. Just make sure your first touch is good,” Richards chimed in.

“The ball came in and he headed away, it was brilliant and that’s when you can get the confidence. You just want to do the basics, don’t you? And I thought he did the basics really well when he came on for Yoro.”

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