Former Arsenal prospect Ayden Heaven suffered a concerning injury in Manchester United’s 3-0 win over Leicester City, leaving him unable to speak before being stretchered off the pitch.
The 18-year-old, who left Arsenal for Old Trafford in January despite the Gunners offering a new contract, was involved in a heavy collision with Leicester forward Patson Daka early in the second half.
Medical staff from both teams provided extensive treatment before he was carried off on a stretcher, prompting immediate concerns over the severity of his condition.
United head coach Rúben Amorim revealed after the match that Heaven struggled to communicate what he was experiencing, saying, “It’s hard to understand because even when he’s on the ground, he can’t speak, he doesn’t know how to explain what he’s feeling because he’s so young. It’s hard to understand what he’s feeling.”
Another update from Amorim proved slightly more optimistic. “He’s a bit a little bit more calm now, but we have to assess during the week. But he’s doing a great job and it’s a shame if he has something for quite a long [time]. We wish him all the best.”
Heaven was not taken to hospital, and United are expected to provide an update on his condition in the coming days. His injury was the only sour note on an otherwise successful night for Amorim’s side, who extended their unbeaten league run to seven matches.
Having moved from Arsenal to United in January for a reported £1.5m, signing a contract until 2029 with an additional-year option, Heaven had spoken fondly of his time in North London.
Upon his departure, he wrote, “As the time has come for me to move on, I wanted to say how grateful I am to the good people at Arsenal who supported me during my time with the club.
“As a North London boy, I lived the dream of training and playing at Hale End and London Colney, as well as making my professional debut in the League Cup.
“A big thank you too to Arsenal fans.”
Arsenal had been keen to keep the promising defender, but the teenager rejected a new deal as well as interest from Eintracht Frankfurt in favour of joining United in a move that seems to have paid off.
He’s already made two Premier League appearances as well as others in the Europa League and FA Cup. Had he remained at Arsenal, he would most likely have been given one appearance at most, the second leg of the 9-3 win over PSV.