Football

AYDEN HEAVEN was left “unable to explain what he’s feeling” after his horror injury at Leicester.The Manchester United defender, 18, impressed on his full Premier League debut.Ayden Heaven could be sidelined for a lengthy period following his injury at LeicesterCredit: ReutersThe defender had to be taken off on a stretcherCredit: AlamyBut he had to be taken off on a stretcher early in the second half of the comfortable 3-0 victory at the King Power. Heaven was involved in a tangle with Foxes striker Patson Daka and stayed down clearly hurt.And he had to be taken off on a stretcher in worrying scenes after extensive treatment from both United and Leicester medics. Now Ruben Amorim has issued an update on Heaven’s injury amid fears he could be sidelined for a prolonged period. READ MORE MAN UTD NEWSThe Portuguese gaffer said: “We will see next week. “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.”It was not completely clear from Amorim’s quotes whether he was referring to the injury itself or Heaven’s lack of experience in dealing with injuries as the reason for him being unable to explain what he had felt.Most read in FootballHeaven – a January signing from Arsenal – was then spotted leaving the King Power with his foot in a brace.Journalist Andy Mitten posted: “Just saw Ayden Heaven walk out of the stadium in Leicester. Foot in a brace but walking.”Man Utd boss Ruben Amorim hails ‘perfect captain’ Bruno Fernandes after hat-trick heroics against Real Sociedad United went to Leicester already without defenders Lisandro Martinez, Luke Shaw, Leny Yoro, Harry Maguire and Jonny Evans through injuries – plus Patrick Dorgu was suspended.So the threat of having teenage rising star Heaven potentially out could come as more bad news for Amorim – especially after his strong form. Before going off hurt, Heaven had put in a superb performance in United’s back three to help sniff out the threat of Daka and Jamie Vardy. United fans took to social media as the youngster was carried off to send their best wishes.One said: “That is heartbreaking to see.”Another wrote: “Devastated for Ayden Heaven. Can’t help but keep thinking if he’s gonna come back the same.”And a third added: “Feel for Ayden Heaven. He’s been surprisingly good since he joined. Injuries can be terrible though. Hope he recovers well.”Heaven stayed down after a tussle with Patson DakaCredit: ReutersRuben Amorim issued an update when he spoke to the pressCredit: Alamy More

MANCHESTER UNITED leapfrogged Tottenham into 13th in the Premier League by beating Leicester.Rasmus Hojlund was left to run in behind and shoot low into the bottom corner from an angle to open the scoring on 28 minutes.Rasmus Hojlund ended his 21-game goal drought by opening the scoring at LeicesterCredit: GettyThe Danish striker had not found the net since December 12 – a run of 21 matches. Alejandro Garnacho saw a goal chalked off for offside but there was no taking his snap-shot finish off him on 67 minutes.And skipper Bruno Fernandes rounded off the comfortable 3-0 win in style in the closing stages. Here’s how SunSport’s Graham Hill rated Ruben Amorim’s men at the King Power…ANDRE ONANA – 6The United goalkeeper was a doubt for the game as he was struggling with an eye injury.But he was passed fit for a match in which he was barely called upon to make a save.It meant he kept up his record of starting every Premier League game since signing for United in the summer of 2023. He did well to deny Leicester skipper Jamie Vardy early on – and again deep into stoppage time.CASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO BONUSES FROM £10 DEPOSITSBut the defence in front of him made sure he was not called upon too often.Wayne Rooney launches brutal attack on Man Utd flops and names only two he’d keep MATTHIJS DE LIGT – 7Always alert to danger, as he showed with 15 minutes to go when he stopped Leicester ending their run of six home defeats without scoring a single goal.Seven games is a new record – but the Dutchman’s brilliant clearance from Leicester sub Facundo Buonanotte made sure of the clean sheet.That crowned a performance where he barely put a foot wrong all night.VICTOR LINDELOF – 7 Looked commanding in the early stages, but he got into an early mix-up with Onana which could have led to a goal.However, it went unpunished by a Leicester side severely lacking in confidence when it comes to finding the net.That turned out to be a blip in an otherwise calm and collected performance.Hojlund opened the scoring from a tight angleCredit: AlamyAYDEN HEAVEN – 7 It was a bittersweet night for the 18-year-old who was awarded his full Premier League debut after playing against Real Sociedad in midweek.He had looked controlled and confident at the heart of United’s defence – snuffing out any threat from Leicester in the early stages.But he was worryingly carried off on a stretcher after pulling up off the pitch as he tried to intercept a ball in the United area.Heaven was particularly impressive when he put his body on the line to twice block shots from Leicester striker Patson Daka.Ayden Heaven impressed before his painful injuryCredit: GettyNOUSSAIR MAZRAOUI – 6Moved into the centre-back role after Heaven was taken off injured. Toby Collyer took his place at right wing-back.He found Vardy difficult to deal with at times, as the 38-year-old striker showed he was still capable of worrying defences.But he dealt with the switch relatively comfortably as United held firm at the back.BRUNO FERNANDES – 8The skipper scored an excellent goal late on to crown another outstanding display.He continued his rich vein of form by providing the pinpoint pass for Hojlund to score the opening goal – although he did owe a lot to some atrocious defending from a doomed Leicester City.The Portugal star oozed class and never seemed to stop running. He was rewarded in the 90th minute with his 17th goal of the season.Bruno Fernandes rounded off a superb performance with a fine goalCredit: PAMANUEL UGARTE – 6Solid performance which included a sensational clearance towards the end of the first half when it looked as though goal-shy Leicester might actually find the net.But, in the end, he was subbed with 20 minutes left as Amorim tried to inject some life into what had become a slightly static United performance.The move paid off as United upped their game in the closing stages.DIOGO DALOT – 7Had been relatively effective, but unspectacular until the last minute.He found space on the right, looked up and fizzed across a low pass for Fernandes to finish the game.Dalot produced a real 90-minute display and showed he should not have been allowed the space Leicester somehow managed to give him.ALEJANDRO GARNACHO – 7Nice finish after 68 minutes for United’s second goal – and it was his first Premier League goal in over four months. That was also against Leicester – but it was also his last action of the night as he was subbed straight after.He looked to have scored United’s second goal of the night when he collected a pass from Hojlund and found the far corner. But his celebrations were cut short when he saw the flag go up.He had been quiet up until that point, but if he had timed his run better it would have been allowed. That said, Hojlund probably delayed his pass for too long.Alejandro Garnacho got the second with a snap finishCredit: PACHRISTIAN ERIKSEN – 6Almost opened the scoring with a superb curling shot that hit the inside of the far post.But it was a frustrating night for the Dane. He did little wrong, but the manager had seen enough with 20 minutes left as he decided to make wholesale changes.It was not Christian Eriksen’s best performanceCredit: AlamyRASMUS HOJLUND – 7Took his chance well for the opening goal, some generous work from the Leicester defence allowed him the space he needed.He still had to get past Mads Hermansen in the Foxes goal though – but he remained calm and found the far corner.It was a much-needed strike for the Dane – he had not scored in the Premier League for over three months.SUBSTOBY COLLYER (for Heaven, 51mins) – 6Came on six minutes into the second half due to the bad injury to Heaven. Like Mazraoui, he was tested by Vardy in the second half, but stuck to his task.CASEMIRO (for Ugarte, 69mins) – 6Played his part in an improved second-half display, made a difference when he came on.JOSHUA ZIRKZEE: (for Eriksen, 69mins) – 6Managed to get wound up following a challenge by Leicester defender Wout Faes, but looked a threat when he came on.HARRY AMASS: (for Garnacho, 69mins) – 6 Impressive cameo from 18-year-old when he came on, looked good on the ball.CHIDO OBI: (for Hojlund, 85mins) – N/A Joshua Zirkzee got into a scrap with Wout FaesCredit: PA More