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Carrick's choices hinder Heaven's progress with Manchester United

Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Sep 21, 2026, 6:35 PM

Last updated Sep 21, 2026

Carrick's choices hinder Heaven's progress with Manchester United

Summary

Michael Carrick's decision to prioritize experience over youth has impacted 19-year-old defender Ayden Heaven at Manchester United. After strong performances last season, including a Player of the Month award, Heaven has seen limited playing time, starting just three matches under Carrick. His recent struggles led to his exclusion from the squad in an important fixture against Fulham, raising concerns about his development. Observers note that if Heaven continues to be overlooked, he may seek a loan move in the winter transfer window, potentially stunting his growth further.

Source Links

Yahoo Sports

By the Numbers

•Ayden Heaven earned December Player of the Month honors last season.
•He has made just three starts under Michael Carrick this season.
•Heaven was excluded from the matchday squad against Fulham.
•His recent performance against Brighton raised questions about his readiness.
•Continued benching may lead Heaven to seek a loan in January.

Latest Updates

6:35 PMYahoo Sports — Carrick’s loyalty to reckless United star is hurting 19-yo talent’s development

What they're saying

"
1 At the end of 2025, if one thing was clear, it was that Manchester United had unearthed a gem in Ayden Heaven, the young centre-back who seemingly proved his worth with top performances that earned ...
— Yahoo Sports

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