Former Manchester United player Wes Brown has expressed significant admiration for rising star Ayden Heaven, emphasizing his stellar displays on the field and Michael Carrick's thoughtful management of the young defender. Heaven, a 19-year-old, initially saw limited action this season, accumulating only 28 minutes across two matches by late November. However, injuries to key players like Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire created an opportunity for Heaven, allowing him to step into a more prominent role within the squad.
During a demanding holiday period, Heaven started eight consecutive games for United, contributing under both Ruben Amorim's final phase and Darren Fletcher's interim leadership. Yet, his playing time decreased once Carrick assumed control, primarily due to Maguire's return to full fitness, which saw him paired with Lisandro Martinez. This shift relegated Heaven to the bench, where he made only a brief one-minute appearance in United's commanding victory over Manchester City and remained an unused substitute in their 3-2 win against Arsenal.
Despite the recent reduction in his playing minutes, there is widespread belief that Heaven is destined to become a crucial long-term asset for the club. His performances have consistently impressed, demonstrating a remarkable maturity for someone still adapting to the demands of senior football. His potential contribution is seen as vital for the team's future endeavors, and his development is being closely watched.
Speaking on the Inside Carrington podcast, Brown specifically commended Heaven, stating, "Whenever Ayden has been on the pitch, he's been outstanding." Brown noted the difficulty in finding any significant flaws in Heaven's game, suggesting that the young player is continually absorbing new lessons from every match and training session. He remarked on the immense challenge of performing at Manchester United, especially for a young athlete, highlighting Heaven's ability to minimize errors and maintain focus.
Brown also endorsed Carrick's strategic decision to prioritize experienced players in recent games, viewing it as a beneficial learning experience for Heaven. He believes that Heaven will gain invaluable insights from playing alongside seasoned professionals like Harry Maguire. This period of observation and learning, according to Brown, is essential for Heaven's growth and integration into the first team, ensuring he becomes a well-rounded and reliable defender for Manchester United in the years to come.