Having watched him closely over the last few games, I’d say that if we were to compare - though I’m not usually a fan of doing so - he resembles Rio more than Vidic. Both were world-class centre-backs, but his style aligns more with Rio’s composure and ball-playing ability. That said, if Heaven develops into even half the player either of them was, I’d be more than happy.
Ayden Heaven | 2024/25 Performances
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Nik (@Rood) and Imran (@Annihilate Now!) discuss United's fantastic win away against Athletic Club in the semi-final of the Europa League.
They also pick out the positives of United's 4-3 loss away at Brentford, and Nik reviews a day out at Old Trafford watching Manchester United Women qualify for the Champions League.
Having watched him closely over the last few games, I’d say that if we were to compare - though I’m not usually a fan of doing so - he resembles Rio more than Vidic. Both were world-class centre-backs, but his style aligns more with Rio’s composure and ball-playing ability. That said, if Heaven develops into even half the player either of them was, I’d be more than happy.
How about we rotate dalot straight out the club and use maz as cover for both rwb and rcb.
Last season he played 19 games in the Arsenal u21s as they finished 5th. This season he played another 9 and had a cup cameo for the first team. He was 16/17 when he played those 19 games last season.
So even if you put his small amount of gametime for us to one side, just picking up a player that managed to do what he had done for Arsenal u21s at a young age on a free is very good business. I was personally worried because if I had seen him for Arsenal against us in the youth teams I hadn't come away with a strong enough opinion to remember him and although I do watch highlights of plenty of u21 and u18 games, Sweet was the one I thought looked good for Arsenal at CB. And then we have the preseason match where Hojlund rolled him and scored. I was concerned that he might be comfortable on the ball looking at the highlights video but would be very lacking defensively
His first few outings he looked good for an 18 year old stand in, which is a situation where you arent expecting a lot. He didnt make any big mistakes although there was obvious room for improvement as he got older like in his first sub appearance he had 50% pass accuracy. But against Leicester he was genuinely putting in a good performance regardless of age. He was better than de Ligt for 50 mins imo. So thats very impressive
A few more games before I start to compare him with Yoro I think. Yoro played a lot of games last season so you need more than 1 or 2 games of doing well to think they're in a similar category. Heaven has the height McNair had, but the utility of Blackett being a left footed CB who is calm. Too early to tell if he's going to do more than they did but Leicester was the first of hopefully many more matches where he could start to seperate himself from those kinds of talents also including Kambwala last season that we've had before him.
So even if you put his small amount of gametime for us to one side, just picking up a player that managed to do what he had done for Arsenal u21s at a young age on a free is very good business. I was personally worried because if I had seen him for Arsenal against us in the youth teams I hadn't come away with a strong enough opinion to remember him and although I do watch highlights of plenty of u21 and u18 games, Sweet was the one I thought looked good for Arsenal at CB. And then we have the preseason match where Hojlund rolled him and scored. I was concerned that he might be comfortable on the ball looking at the highlights video but would be very lacking defensively
His first few outings he looked good for an 18 year old stand in, which is a situation where you arent expecting a lot. He didnt make any big mistakes although there was obvious room for improvement as he got older like in his first sub appearance he had 50% pass accuracy. But against Leicester he was genuinely putting in a good performance regardless of age. He was better than de Ligt for 50 mins imo. So thats very impressive
A few more games before I start to compare him with Yoro I think. Yoro played a lot of games last season so you need more than 1 or 2 games of doing well to think they're in a similar category. Heaven has the height McNair had, but the utility of Blackett being a left footed CB who is calm. Too early to tell if he's going to do more than they did but Leicester was the first of hopefully many more matches where he could start to seperate himself from those kinds of talents also including Kambwala last season that we've had before him.
I remember Hojlund bullying Heaven in pre-season and recalled he was quite skinny so to refresh my memory I found this. I think it's safe to say but 1 year on, he looks more filled out and probably even taller, which makes sense given his age.
Hojlund looked a different physical prospect compared to Heaven in July 2024. Today, they're much closer and the latter probably has more growing in muscle density/core strength etc.
Amorin confirmed that he never went to the hospital and he was walking around with just a boot on - obviously good news considering how bad it all looked.
I'd imagine he rolled/sprained his ankle. Has anyone had/or known a serious injury to not require immediate hospital treatment or just a boot?
I'd imagine he rolled/sprained his ankle. Has anyone had/or known a serious injury to not require immediate hospital treatment or just a boot?
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you don’t have to edit this, but it’s currently scoring a 7.6 on the glitter scale.
City keeper played on with a broken neck last century. Plenty of incidences of serious injury being missed. Lads been assessed by professionals, so you’d think they’d know if there were other issues. He’ll probably be off for X-rays sometime soon.
I liked how he played, especially his focus and determination, he is not a finished product but he could spare us the need to buy new LCB if Martinez can't be depended on.
Amorim
I agree and with a serious turn of pace. It's also his composure on the ball for someone at such a young age. I'm very impressed with both Heaven and Yoro.
He just looked liked he'd been playing in the first team for years. Great positioning, mobile and enthusiastic. Hopefully he's not too badly hurt.
Against Arsenal? He played something like 8 passes that game. Waaaaay to small sample size.
Not even our medical team would be stupid enough to not have him use crutches if there was any risk of walking on it. This is really good news.
I partially tore my ankle ligament when I was younger and I couldn’t even put my foot on the ground without getting stabbing pains shooting up my leg. If he is walking around then this is really good news.
It's over. Shut it down.
Damn... .
Probably he knew he'd eventually make mistakes, and wanted to go out when still at the top. Just like Cantona.
'Ayden Heaven feels better, and is now bigger than The Beatles.' - John Lennon.
I’m far from Dalot’s biggest fan but we unfortunately can’t get rid of everyone and bring in a whole new squad, there’s far bigger needs in our squad than getting rid of Dalot and bringing in two new right wing backs, Mazraoui is a better player than Dalot but he’s not a better right wing back so Dalot as a squad option whilst bringing in an upgrade and using Mazraoui as a right sided centre back is the best option.
I disagree, I don't think there is anything between the 2 as RWB and I actually think maz has improved there the last few times he's played there by showing more commitment to attack.
Dalot sits too deep and is essentially just a RB and his general play just isn't up to it. I think he's one of the few players we could actually get a decent fee for and would be quite high up the list of players I'd be looking to move on.
I know the its early days and that but my God i am impressed with him. He was meant to be a back-up to a back-up of 1st choice CB but imho i would play him already.
This is what I want to see us doing. We were quoted 70-80m for Branthwaite when I would prefer to have Heaven, a young player without the big price tag pressure.
Granted its only a few games, it may save us from signing another CB in the summer and look at other areas in the team.
Absolute steal for 1.5m
We still need a CB in the summer to be honest. But he certainly looks like a good addition and yes a lot better than 70+ on Branthwaite.
Hopefully we can find another good young CB for not too much money, still have to see what is happening with Martinez too I guess, but adding another pacey, strong CB who is good on the ball would be ideal. The less we have to play Maguire the better
Tonato/Tomato
Whilst I agree, we need another CB but its not the biggest priority. We can play Martinez and Heaven LCB, Maguire, De Light CCB, Mazroui, Yoro RCB. Now, on paper looks like we are okay but Licha is not fit until next year, Maguire isnt the greatest so if we do get a young fast CB, I will be all for it... just not someone like Branthwaite who is a waste of money imo.
We need to avoid these overrated English players from lower table clubs.
Yes a good young CB signing would be ideal max 35m euros type deal
Heard someone compare his breakthrough to when Fosu-Mensah first came through and I can understand the comparisons. Fosu was more of a physical brute, but he had a bit of everything and it was the niggling injuries that derailed his career to where he now barely plays for Leverkusen and isn't looking like making anything of himself.
Hopefully Heaven has different luck, cause the potential is 100% there
Hopefully Heaven has different luck, cause the potential is 100% there
When can we expect some news on how he is?
He looks like a complete defender already. If I was going to nitpick based on that performance, then I would want to see two changes. And luckily both are relatively easy fixes:
1. Reduce the number of long-passes. It doesn't look like his strength and as a LCB you can't really miss those passes.
2. Don't be so eager when defending against attackers who have full control of the ball. Right now a good dribbler will eat Heaven alive if he's that aggressive.
I think both of these minor weaknesses will be gone from his game very soon. And then I don't really see any downsides. The kid can even dribble!
Frankly no2. Is what you would expect from a young defender. Nothing to worry about.
Agreed.
He's so good for his age that he forces me to nitpick and treat him like a seasoned pro.
An encouraging start for him, but can we afford to put our trust in a player that may miss up to 30% of our games because he caught one of his arm hairs in his watch strap?
I keep on checking this thread each time it's bumped, hoping to find a positive update on the injury situation 
He's going to be quality. Himself and Yoro as LCB and RCB is a tasty combo.
Thanks - good of you to help him off to a good start.
Not only that - it’s far preferable to a youngster who backs off naturally like Lindelof.
You can coach a lad to be more measured when he needs to be. It will come naturally with experience.
It’s much harder to teach a passive defender to be proactive.
You do know that most kids would love to have had the career Fosu Mensah has enjoyed, even if not to the heights he and others believed and hoped for. So that he isn’t making anything of himself lends me to wonder what you have achieved?
Seems quite defensive, I'm talking from where his potential originally was pointing towards which was key player in a huge side. Unfortunately injuries have took their toll on him, it's not a slight on the player or person.
TFM is apparently without a club now if the websites are correct. Stylistically, i see Heaven as closer to the Rio/Vidic mold. Whether he becomes as good as them is another question, but the swagger and confidence at 19 are reminscent of someone who's played the game for many years. Very similar to Mainoo's poise a year or so ago.
Good points