Ayden Heaven in line for first Manchester United start under Michael Carrick

Ayden Heaven is reportedly set to make his first Manchester United start under Michael Carrick in the Premier League match against Chelsea.

According to the Manchester Evening News, the highly rated young centre-back is expected to partner Leny Yoro at the heart of defence.

Carrick’s options are stretched, with Lisandro Martinez and Harry Maguire both suspended and Matthijs de Ligt still managing a back problem. That situation opens the door for Heaven and Yoro to form an inexperienced but exciting pairing in a fixture that always carries weight for United and their supporters.

The duo have yet to start together as a central defensive partnership, but they will come up against a Chelsea side struggling badly in front of goal. The London club have failed to score in each of their last three Premier League games, giving Heaven and Yoro a platform to impress if they stay organised and composed.

For Heaven, it is a major personal milestone and a chance to show Carrick he can be trusted on big occasions, while United aim to build momentum in the league rather than chase a decisive result for European qualification.