Ayden Heaven has returned to Manchester United’s training facility at Carrington without a protective boot, raising hopes that the defender may be available for selection soon after the international break.
The 18-year-old has made a notable impact in the first team recently, having started his inaugural Premier League match against Leicester City on Sunday evening. During the first half, the former Arsenal player was arguably United’s standout performer; however, he experienced significant discomfort and was carried off the field on a stretcher in the second half.
Sky Sports did not air any replays of the incident, leading to concerns that Heaven may have sustained a serious injury.
After the match, he was seen leaving the King Power Stadium in a protective boot but was able to walk unaided, without crutches.
Manchester United has faced considerable challenges with injuries in their defense lately, as Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro have joined Lisandro Martinez on the injury list, with Martinez ruled out for the remainder of the season.
Given Heaven’s rapid emergence as a crucial player in Ruben Amorim’s defensive setup, any prolonged absence would be another setback for United’s aspirations to salvage their season.
But in a further boost, The Athletic’s Laurie Whitwell reports Heaven is already back at Carrington, no longer wearing the protective boot.
‘I don’t think it is as bad as feared,’ Whitwell told the Talk of the Devils podcast.
‘He was seen walking out without the protective boot on, no crutches.
‘I’ve been told he has been at Carrington without the protective boot so you surmise from that it is not going to be too long after the international break that he returns hopefully.
‘It was strange Sky didn’t show the replay. You don’t want to go gratuitously into someone’s despair but I feel like it did raise the suspicion that this was s serious leg break or something and obviously it is not that.
‘It was devastating for him, he’d come through with some promise then appeared so suffer a serious injury but hopefully it is not as bad as that.’
Heaven, who transferred to United for a modest fee of £1.5 million in January from Arsenal, made a promising debut as a substitute during the FA Cup loss to Fulham.
He entered the match in the second half of the 1-1 draw against his previous team, once again showcasing his talent, before making his first full start against Real Sociedad just four days later.
United will resume their campaign with an away match against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, April 1, followed by a home fixture against Manchester City at Old Trafford for the second derby of the season five days later.
Amorim’s team continues to compete in the Europa League, facing Lyon in the quarter-finals with matches scheduled both at home and away, alongside a visit to Newcastle United in between.
The Europa League represents their final opportunity to secure a trophy in what has been a challenging season. If United advances past Lyon, they will meet the winner of the Rangers vs. Athletic Club match in the semi-finals.
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