Ayden Heaven is back in training for Manchester United, in a big boost to Michael Carrick.

The young defender was struck down with illness for United’s trips to Leeds United and Como, but he is set to return to action ahead of the Red Devils’ Premier League encounter with Bournemouth this weekend.

They host the Cherries at Old Trafford on Sunday in what is a must-win game for their under-fire manager, who has overseen a run of seven matches without a victory.

It has piled the pressure on Carrick, who was forced to apologise to supporters after the humbling 4-1 defeat by Como in the Champions League, while other fans turned on him on social media in the wake of the result.

Return: Ayden Heaven

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United are short in defence thanks to a number of injuries, with Lisandro Martinez sidelined with a thigh problem, while natural left-backs Luke Shaw and Patrick Dorgu are also sidelined with thigh and hamstring issues respectively.

Matthijs de Ligt returned to the side after almost a year in Italy, as he partnered Harry Maguire for the first time since his back injury that he suffered in November 2025.

Now, however, Heaven, the former Arsenal centre-back, returns to bolster the Red Devils’ backline.

"Ayden is back with group, he was suffering from illness but is back around the group and then we'll see what the next couple of days bring [for the others]," Carrick said on Friday.

"It's more mentally now. Physically, the boys are recovering from a game and there is only so much training you can do out on the grass.

"It's more mental and being prepared for what's next."

United sit 13th in the Premier League after a run that has seen them not win a game since late August.