Ruben Amorim provides Aydon Heaven update after Sky Sports refuse to show replays of Man United centre back’s injury during clash at Leicester
Ruben Amorim has provided a fitness update on Ayden Heaven after the Manchester United youngster was forced off the pitch during Sunday’s clash against Leicester City.
Heaven, who joined the club from Arsenal in a deal worth £1million in January, saw a commanding display at the King Power cut short after he tangled with Patson Daka.
He immediately rolled around in pain and signalled to the bench as he looked to suffer ankle issues after shepherding behind for a goal kick after he tangled with Daka – although Sky Sports refused to show the situation in which he received the injury.
The 18-year-old – who featured in his third game in a row – was taken off via a stretcher, forcing Amorim to turn to Toby Collyer in the 51st minute.
The huge blow came after the centre back finally made an appearance in the starting lineup for the Red Devils in the Premier League following his move from the Arsenal academy system in February.
His future appearances still remain unknown, as Amorim insisted there will be several tests during the international break in order to reconsider Heaven’s condition.
Ruben Amorim has provided a fitness update on Ayden Heaven after the centre back was forced off the pitch during Sunday’s game against Leicester City
The 18-year-old appeared to have issues with his ankle after he tagled with Patson Daka
After a lengthy stoppage, the centre back was carried off the pitch and down the tunnel
‘It’s hard to know because we have to evaluate during the week,’ the Portuguese said in the post-match interview with Sky Sports. ‘He already played well against Arsenal and Real Sociedad.
‘Today for me was the most difficult game for him because we expect him to relax a bit, but he was so focused. It was clear today my players are at the limit. We are going to use this window to rest and recover, it will be good.
‘The feeling is completely different. When we return it will be like starting from scratch.’
Heaven played the entire 90-minute game against Real Sociedad last week in a crucial clash which saw the Red Devils progress to the quarter-finals of the Europa League.
His side’s performance on the domestic level remains far from brilliant – despite an inspiring win at Leicester on Sunday – as United are 13th in the Premier League table with 37 points after 29 games.
Amorim’s men are also out of both FA Cup and Carabao cup following defeats by Fulham and Tottenham respectively.
Heaven could become a crucial element in the Portuguese manager’s system, who prefers releasing three centre-backs on the defensive line.
Earlier, Amorim praised the English defender after his impressive display in San Sebastian.
The Portuguese boss said the medical staff will ‘evaluate’ Heaven’s condition during the international break
Amorim’s post-match explanation came after Sky Sports refused to show the situation in which Heaven suffered his setback
‘I like his pace, I think he is good in defending the box and I think he is quite complete. But he has a lot of work to do in the Premier League,’ he said.
‘We will face a different kind of player and he will be tested in a different kind of way, so we are trying to manage all of this because he is still really young.’
Heaven was forced off the pitch with United already winning the match after Rasmus Hojlund scored a goal in the 28th minute following an assist from Bruno Fernandes.
Alejandro Garnacho followed by finding the back of the net in the middle of the second half, with the Portuguese captain getting on the scoresheets as well in the late stages of the game.
