Heaven: Why I joined United
Ayden Heaven says he was convinced to join Manchester United due to both our history of providing opportunities to young players and the nature of the support at Old Trafford.
The centre-back signed for the Reds on 1 February and has enjoyed a promising first six months at the club.
Ayden made his United debut in the Emirates FA Cup against Fulham, before impressive displays against Arsenal — his former side — in the Premier League, and Real Sociedad in the Europa League.
An injury against Leicester City ruled him out of action soon after, but he recovered in time to be a part of our squad at the end of the campaign, including on the post-season tour to Asia, where he scored in a 3-1 victory over Hong Kong, China.
In his first feature interview as a United player, Heaven explained his decision to leave his boyhood club, Arsenal.
Words from Heaven
EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW | It's time to get to know Ayden Heaven better, in his first feature interview...
“The opportunities that the young players have got here in the past,” he said.
“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.”
Heaven acknowledges in the interview that the two reasons he joined the club have already been proved correct on several occasions. He’s made six competitive appearances, aged 18, and has seen plenty of love from fans, both at Old Trafford and on social media.
Head coach Ruben Amorim’s words also played a role, though.
"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," Heaven remembered.
“That's one of my strengths. And defending out wide is one of my strengths as well.”
As for players who have helped Heaven settle at United, the defender picked out Mason Mount.
“The first day I was here, at Carrington, he came up to me and introduced himself and we had a good 10-minute conversation,” Heaven explained.
“He reminded me that we played each other in pre-season and he remembered a tackle I hit him with in the first minute!
Quickfire questions with Heaven
We quiz Ayden Heaven on his favourite position, best United moment, current role models and more…
“So, yeah, me and Mason are good friends. And obviously Bruno [Fernandes], as well, the captain, he’s helped. Patrick [Chinazaekpere Dorgu] as well, we signed together, basically the same week and we've been together since then.”