Credit: Imago

Evan Lloyd

Tue 16 December 2025 7:30, UK

Ayden Heaven struggled in Manchester United’s chaotic 4-4 draw with Bournemouth at Old Trafford on Monday night.

Manchester United signed Heaven from Arsenal in January, and the young centre-back has spent much of this season on the bench.

But he would feature throughout against the Cherries, involved as the Red Devils lost their lead three times on the night.

Amorim bizarrely criticised several Manchester United academy products on Monday, prompting anger among fans ahead of the game.

Kobbie Mainoo has been left on the outskirts at Manchester United, sparking further questions about the Portuguese coach’s usage of young players.

Manchester United fans slam ‘poor’ Ayden Heaven

Twice would Manchester United go ahead in the first half against Bournemouth, first through Amad Diallo before Antoine Semenyo equalised, then again via Casemiro‘s header.

But the Cherries would come flying out of the blocks after the break, Evanilson levelling the scores before Marcus Tavernier added a third with a well-taken free-kick.

Bruno Fernandes enjoyed an up-and-down night, but the Portugal international was on hand to score from his own free-kick 13 minutes from time, with Matheus Cunha‘s goal putting Amorim‘s side back in the lead two minutes later.

That would not be the end of the action, however, and Eli Junior Kroupi found the game’s eighth goal in the 84th minute with a superb finish.

Fans slammed Heaven immediately after the final whistle, with one harsh critic describing the defender’s game as the “worst CB performance ever”.

Another said the 19-year-old was “very poor”, with others sharing a similar sentiment by expressing how much the likes of Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire are missed.

Heaven started in the centre of the back three, and one Manchester United fan pointed out that Amorim should not start him there again, saying that is has “been made pretty clear recently”.

One social media user said “Ayden Heaven at fault for four goals”, with another saying the England youth international “had a nightmare game”.

The stats behind Heaven’s performance vs Bournemouth

While Heaven did not make any mistakes that directly led to goals against Bournemouth, the young defender certainly was involved.

The 19-year-old failed to close down Semenyo in the first half, allowing the winger to bear down on goal before shooting unchallenged.

And the former Arsenal man lacked awareness for both Evanilson and Kroupi’s goals, allowing the strikers to run past him to finish.

The stats do not suggest a bad game from Heaven – the defender made a huge 11 clearances, and won the majority of his duels.

But up against the quick-footed attackers of Bournemouth, the youngster’s inexperience was on full show.