Ayden Heaven has needed just four games to change Manchester United transfer plans

It has taken 18-year-old Ayden Heaven just 215 minutes of football for Manchester United to not only become a fan favourite but potentially change the narrative around Ruben Amorim's squad.

As Heaven waits for a diagnosis on a serious-looking injury to his right ankle or lower leg sustained at Leicester City on Sunday night, he can comfort himself with the fact the impact he has made at Old Trafford isn't going to be forgotten, no matter how long he spends on the sidelines.

His rapid ascent might be placed on pause - although the fact he walked out of the King Power Stadium without the need for crutches, albeit his foot was in a protective boot, looked to be reasonably positive - but his status in the squad could already be assured heading into next season.

When United spent just over £1million signing Heaven from Arsenal in January, he slotted in as the seventh centre-back in Amorim's squad, a list that doesn't include the versatile Noussair Mazraoui or the perenially injured Luke Shaw.

However, circumstances have changed quickly this season, and with Lisandro Martinez, Harry Maguire, Leny Yoro, and Jonny Evans all injured and Patrick Dorgu suspended, meaning Mazraoui is required at wing-back, an opportunity has arrived earlier than expected for Heaven.

He has taken it with both hands. He looked a promising centre-back at Arsenal, but he had a tough time in some early skirmishes against Rasmus Hojlund in a pre-season friendly in America last summer. He has clearly come on since then, and his quality on the ball and aggressive defending off it have been notable in four appearances for United.

He was outstanding in the first half at the King Power Stadium, making one superb block on Patson Daka and generally winning his