However, journalist Laurie Whitwell revealed on the Talk of the Devils podcast that the defender has been spotted at the Carrington training ground without a protective boot, suggesting he might be back in action sooner than anticipated. ..Continue Reading
Heaven made his mark on the first team just over a week ago, coming on in the second half against his former club Arsenal.
His solid performance contributed to a 1-1 draw, earning him a spot in the starting lineup for United’s 4-1 Europa League victory over Real Sociedad last week.
The young defender impressed against the Spanish side, securing his place in the lineup against Leicester.
Unfortunately, an injury forced him off the pitch early in the second half after maintaining a clean sheet up to that point.
Heaven’s exit dealt a blow to Ruben Amorim’s already injury-hit defense, leaving fans fearing the worst.
Despite the scare, Heaven shared an update on Instagram, reassuring supporters that his recovery was progressing well.
Whitwell’s latest update adds to the optimism, as the sighting of Heaven walking without a protective boot hints at a potentially quicker recovery than initially expected.
Speaking on the ‘Talk of the Devils’ podcast, the Athletic reporter said: “I don’t think it’s as bad as it was feared, right? I think the fact that you guys saw him walk out – okay, he had a protective boot on – but no crutches.
“I’m told that he’s been at Carrington without a protective boot. So, you know, you just surmise from that, that it’s not going to be too long after the international break that he returns, but it looked very serious.”
Lisandro Martinez will be sidelined for the remainder of the season after sustaining a knee injury in early February.
Meanwhile, Leny Yoro is not expected to return until the start of April, Harry Maguire remains a doubt until after the international break, and there is no clear timeline for Jonny Evans’ recovery.
These defensive setbacks opened the door for Ayden Heaven to step into the first team. However, it’s uncertain if Heaven will be fit to feature in the squad for the clash against Nottingham Forest on April 1st.
This match is part of a critical stretch for United, which includes five key fixtures—such as the Manchester derby, a challenging away game against Newcastle United, and the Europa League quarter-final double-header against Lyon.
Manager Ruben Amorim has been linked with signing a new centre-back in recent months. However, if Heaven can prove his ability to hold his own alongside United’s top defenders, Amorim may choose to redirect funds toward addressing other areas in the summer transfer window.
Significant reinforcements are needed across various positions, as this season has been a disastrous one for United.
The Red Devils are enduring their worst-ever Premier League campaign since the league’s inception in 1992, with even a top-half finish looking increasingly out of reach.
