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Manchester United legend Wayne Rooney has lauded Ayden Heaven, insisting the unfazed defender plays like a seasoned professional despite being so young.
Heaven has experienced a meteoric rise to stardom since making the switch from Arsenal to United in the January transfer window.
After making some impressive appearances from the bench, Ruben Amorim handed the 18-year-old his full debut in last week’s 4-1 Europa League victory over Real Sociedad. He produced a top-class performance, prompting Amorim to give him his full Premier League debut at the King Power Stadium on Sunday evening.
Heaven slotted on the left of the three-man defence alongside Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof. He didn’t put a foot wrong and was enjoying a spectacular game before sustaining a serious-looking injury in the early stages of the second half.
He collided with Patson Daka at the far post and immediately hit the ground in pain. Heaven signalled to the bench and after a lengthy pause, he was stretchered off the field. The London-born star was spotted leaving the stadium wearing a protective boot although he was walking unaided.
Amorim told reporters that more information on Heaven’s fitness will be made available once he’s been subjected to more thorough examinations.
Amorim, the team and fans now face an anxious wait to learn just how long Heaven will be sidelined.
Speaking on Match of the Day 2 on Sunday, Rooney was hugely complimentary of Heaven and especially how he has dealt with the immense pressure of playing for United.
Rooney said [via Manchester Evening News], “Obviously, it is a huge football club, but at this time now where it is not maybe going right, to come in and play for Manchester United at 18, it is a lot of pressure.”
“Those expectations are on you from the first minute. But I think in the games he has played, I think he has been fantastic.”
“I came in as an 18-year-old at Manchester United and you do feel that pressure. But to come in as a centre-back, which is a position where you cannot afford to make mistakes as you get punished, it is very difficult.”
“But he looks like he has been there for years – and that is the biggest compliment I can give him.”
The former England international continued, “He has come in from Arsenal so he knows what it is like to be at a big club; I think that will have helped him.”
“He doesn’t look like he is playing with pressure, he looks calm, he’s composed, he gives them good balance with his left foot, he looks quick and he looks like he likes defending.”
“I think he is a real coup for Manchester United.”
Amorim will be hoping that a few of his defenders such as Harry Maguire and Leny Yoro return after the international break in time to face Nottingham Forest on April 1.
Featured image Carl Recine via Getty Images
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