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Wayne Rooney and Ashley Young were left astonished when Manchester United youngster Ayden Heaven was selected to speak ahead of the tie against Roma. Heaven was chosen by Michael Carrick to start in the crucial Champions League fixture alongside Harry Maguire in defence. However, to Rooney and Young's amazement, the 20-year-old was also put forward to address Amazon Prime in a pre-match interview.
Considering how dismal United's performances have been in recent weeks, the decision to present one of the club's least-experienced players to the broadcaster raised questions.
When Amazon presenter Gabby Logan asked whether it was suitable for Heaven to be nominated to speak under the current conditions, Rooney responded: "I thought he spoke very well.
"I think they had Kobbie Mainoo doing the press conference yesterday as well, so I think that shows when players have come out with questions and questioned the board and the manager.
"They've done it for a reason. They've done it for their own reason. Bruno Fernandes or [Lisandro] Martinez could quite clearly be there right now, talking and saying we need to dig in and fight.
"What's happening, we have spoke about it but we're here and lead by example and they're not leading by example."
Young was equally taken aback that none of United's other veteran stars offered themselves for the interview. He added: "I can't believe it's Ayden Heaven who has come out and spoke.
"Surely there's senior players who will be like: 'Look, things aren't going well. I need to front up and show my personality and say, right things aren't going well, let me go and do the interview'.
"When you've got a kid that's coming out that's starting the Champions League tonight when things are tough, and he's the one that's being put up to speak.
"It just shows what exactly is going on at this football club right now. Like we say, things aren't going in the right direction."
Heaven has only featured 30 times for United since his move from Arsenal in February 2025. By contrast, experienced United stars Maguire, Diogo Dalot, Bryan Mbeumo, Matheus Cunha and club captain Fernandes are also in the starting eleven and could have been put forward to address Amazon.
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