Ayden Heaven has boasted about Manchester United’s tradition of giving young players opportunities amid transfer reports

Ayden Heaven previously praised Manchester United’s history of providing opportunities for young talent, amidst rumours linking Myles Lewis-Skelly with a move to Old Trafford.

The 19-year-old had a standout season last year, making 39 appearances across all competitions for the Gunners and becoming a regular for both his club and country. However, his progress has been stunted this season with just 27 appearances under his belt and no game-time in the Premier League since Arsenal’s 0-0 draw with Liverpool in January.

According to Sky Sports, Lewis-Skelly is a player appreciated by United’s hierarchy alongside Nathaniel Brown of Frankfurt and Lewis Hall of Newcastle United ahead of the summer transfer window.

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football.london reports that first-team sales are the priority for the Gunners, meaning an offer for the left-back from United could lead to the player’s departure from his boyhood club should they meet the London club’s valuation.

United have a rich history of promoting young players and guiding them towards greatness, with Heaven, 19, being the latest beneficiary of the club’s faith in youth. The defender has played 16 games for United this season, including eight league starts.

His £1million transfer from north London to Manchester was finalised last February and after his debut season, he spoke about his decision to join United. Speaking to MUTV, the teenager said: “The opportunities that the young players have got here in the past.

“I think United had the most minutes given to teenagers last season [2023/24]. That convinced me to come here. And the people and the fans here are quite loving, and I felt that when I was playing. They’re so supportive.”

Referencing Ruben Amorim’s approach and tactical system as a motivation for signing with United, Heaven added: “He just said that our play style will suit me, because they play three at a back and I play on the left of the three, so that allows me to run with the ball.”

While United operate a different style of football under Michael Carrick than he was originally familiar with, Heaven’s self-described attributes will only enhance the side. He continued: “That’s one of my strengths. And defending out wide is one of my strengths as well.”

Presently positioned behind Piero Hincapie and Riccardo Calafiori in the left-back pecking order, Lewis-Skelly’s limited opportunities were criticised by Ian Wright, who maintained the adaptable player should have been involved in Arsenal’s Carabao Cup final loss to Manchester City.

He said on The Overlap: “I’ve mentioned Myles Lewis-Skelly when he played against Real Madrid last time, had an unbelievable game. Then he’s kind of been dropped back out of it, and I’m thinking in that game, on Sunday, a left-back who can invert what we need is somebody comfortable on the ball.

“That’s the game he should be playing in, because then he’s somebody who can get on the ball, and at least we can link.”

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Ayden Heaven was asked about Manchester United’s next manager during his appearance on Capital XTRA Breakfast

Manchester United defender Ayden Heaven has revealed he doesn’t mind who the manager is at the club, as long as they are successful.

Michael Carrick is currently in interim charge at Old Trafford until the end of the season after Ruben Amorim was sacked in January. In eight games, United have won six and climbed into the Premier League top three places.

However, it is currently unclear whether United will stick with Carrick beyond the summer, or appoint a permanent successor. Speaking on Capital XTRA Breakfast on Friday morning, Heaven was asked on his thoughts on the manager situation at United.

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Asked who he believes will be the manager for the new season, he replied: “I don’t mind, honestly. I’m just waiting to see, you know. Just whatever’s going to get us over the line.”

Heaven has only played seven minutes across three games since Carrick came in. He came off the bench briefly in the 2-0 win against Manchester City, before enjoying a short cameo in the victories against Everton and Crystal Palace.

He had started all seven of Amorim’s final games in charge of United and had been handed a start by Darren Fletcher in the 2-2 draw against Burnley. Carrick has preferred Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez in his opening two months in charge.

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United’s plan of what’s to come in the summer regarding the head coach position is currently unclear. Despite currently sitting in the Champions League spots, there remain some doubts over Carrick.

Ahead of this weekend’s huge clash against Aston Villa, Jamie Carragher insisted that Unai Emery should be among the top contenders to come in. “Unai Emery should be heading to Old Trafford this weekend as the frontrunner to become the next Manchester United manager,” he said in his column with The Telegraph.

“I suspect he does not rank high among the candidates. That is good news for Aston Villa, but it must be frustrating for one of the best, and still most underrated, coaches in Europe. For Emery not to be under serious consideration says plenty about modern football. By any metric, he would be the perfect coach to revive United. For me, only Pep Guardiola ranks higher of those currently managing in England.

“Here is a manager who wins trophies, has a clear football vision, a track record of revitalising clubs in need of a mini-revolution to break into the Champions League, and who demands respect while leading with authority. Add the fact he is now proven in the Premier League, and such coaches are in short supply.”

Two Manchester United players have shown their determination to return to the starting line-up under interim head coach Michael Carrick

Manchester United duo Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro have been putting in the extra work as they look to return to the starting line-up. United have not played a match in more than a week, having had a free weekend due to not being in action in the FA Cup.

United have just the Premier League to focus on between now and the end of the season, which has allowed the players to have more time to rest and recover between fixtures.

Michael Carrick was installed as the club’s interim head coach until the end of the season last month, and has picked up 13 points from a possible 15 on offer so far, with four wins and one draw.

However, Heaven and Yoro have seen their minutes on the pitch reduced since Carrick took interim charge at Old Trafford last month.

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Yoro has played just 23 minutes of football since Carrick took charge, which have come as late substitute appearances in two matches. Heaven, meanwhile, has made just one appearance as a substitute in the win over Manchester City last month, and has remained on the bench ever since.

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On Wednesday, Heaven posted a series of photos on Instagram of himself taking part in a training programme in Dubai, and was joined by Yoro in several of the photos.

Heaven’s post to his 569,000 followers went on to receive 37,800 likes, including one from United captain Bruno Fernandes.

Fernandes went on to leave a tongue-in-cheek comment on the post, which read: “Did you go to Dubai just for some extra trainings?” The comment was accompanied by a smirking face emoji, implying that Fernandes was made the remark as a joke.

With Heaven and Yoro remaining most unused by Carrick in the last five matches, United’s interim head coach has instead chosen to start Harry Maguire and Lisandro Martinez at the heart of the defence.

It remains to be seen if Yoro or Heaven will be given any minutes when United face Everton in their next Premier League fixture next Monday night.

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