Manchester United’s convincing 3-0 victory over Leicester City in the Premier League on Sunday was overshadowed by a concerning injury to young defender Ayden Heaven. The 18-year-old centre-back, making his first Premier League start, was stretchered off the pitch early in the second half after a tangle with Leicester forward Patson Daka. Manager Ruben Amorim provided an update on Heaven’s condition post-match, expressing uncertainty about the severity of the injury while offering a glimmer of hope.
The incident occurred shortly after halftime at the King Power Stadium, where Heaven appeared to suffer a significant injury following an innocuous challenge. He was visibly in pain and received extensive treatment from both United and Leicester medical staff before being carried off on a stretcher. Sky Sports opted not to show replays of the incident due to its potential severity, leaving fans and analysts anxiously awaiting further news.
Speaking to the BBC after the match, Amorim addressed Heaven’s condition: “We have to evaluate during the week. He’s a young kid and he doesn’t know how to explain what he’s feeling – it is a hard one for us to know.” The Portuguese manager elaborated further in his post-match press conference, noting the difficulty in assessing the injury due to Heaven’s youth and inability to articulate his pain clearly. “We will see next week. It’s hard to understand because even when he’s on the ground, he can’t speak, he doesn’t know how to explain what he’s feeling because he’s so young. It’s hard to understand what he’s feeling,” Amorim said.
Despite the worrying scenes, there was a cautiously optimistic update from Manchester Evening News senior writer Tyrone Marshall, who reported that Heaven left the King Power Stadium with his right foot in a protective boot but was walking unaided. This development suggests that while the injury may be significant, it might not require immediate immobilization, offering some hope for United fans.
Heaven, who joined Manchester United from Arsenal’s academy in January, had been a standout performer in the match prior to his injury. His composure, precision, and maturity on the ball earned him widespread praise, with many viewing him as a potential long-term asset for the club. However, his injury adds to an already extensive list of defensive absences for United, with senior centre-backs Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Jonny Evans currently sidelined. The international break following the match may provide some respite, allowing time for recovery and further assessment.
Amorim, who has faced a challenging start to his tenure at Old Trafford due to injuries and inconsistent form, will be hoping for positive news when Heaven undergoes further tests in the coming days. The manager made a tactical adjustment after Heaven’s exit, bringing on Toby Collyer and shifting Noussair Mazraoui into a back-three alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof to see out the victory.