A Manchester United star is unlikely to take part in this summer's World Cup in the US, Mexico and Canada after deciding against switching his international allegiance
Ayden Heaven qualifies for Ghana(Image: Molly Darlington/Copa/Getty Images)
Manchester United youngster Ayden Heaven will NOT switch international allegiances to take part in next summer's World Cup despite being eligible to play for Ghana.
The 19-year-old London-born defender is qualified to represent the Black Stars through a grandparent and the Ghana Football Association has been monitoring his development. Interestingly, Ghana are in England's World Cup group in the United States along with Panama and Croatia, meaning Heaven could theoretically play against England next summer.
However, BBC Sport says Heaven will not take the field for the African nation and has ambitions of playing for the senior England team, having represented them at Under-18, 19 and 20 levels.
After joining United almost a year ago, Heaven secured his place in Ruben Amorim's first-team squad this season. The centre-back has spent a lot of time among United's substitutes but became an integral part of the starting XI in December.
Heaven put in an impressive performance in the Red Devils' 1-0 win over Newcastle and has big ambitions in both club football and on the international stage. Speaking to Sky Sports as the match-winner's man, Heaven explained his side's intentions.
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He said, “That’s it [big]- Finally a goal. We've been waiting for this for a few weeks. I'm just so happy. I am so grateful to everyone who helped us [win].
“As Manchester United we belong in Europe and next season we want to go back there. We can push for the top four, possibly the league; anything is possible. We will just keep trying.”
“The manager, we play a lot of formations with him, whatever he does we know it will work as you saw today. I'm so proud of the team.”
Ayden Heaven was man of the match for Manchester United(Image: Ash Donelon/Getty Images)
Manager Amorim is impressed by Heaven's development. The youngster began the month by being substituted at half-time against West Ham before putting in a strong performance.
“I’m really happy with Ayden,” Amorim said. “You feel he's improving every game. He's young, but you can feel he's playing a good game, slowing down his thinking and improving as he plays.”
“He has been training really well and if he continues to play like this it will be very difficult to take his place.”
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