The circumstances could hardly have been any more challenging for Ayden Heaven. Thrown on at half time for his Premier League debut against the team he left just over a month ago, the 18-year-old could have folded. Instead, Manchester United’s latest young prospect showed why so many have tipped him for the top.
Physically, Heaven handled himself well against Arsenal, making two ball recoveries, three clearances and doing his part to keep the Gunners’ attack at arm’s length. Technically, the teenager was also impressive, helping United play out from the back when they had more joy in quick transition in the second half.
It was a performance that justified Manchester United’s decision to fast-track Heaven after luring him from Arsenal in January. While the 18-year-old was a developmental player at the Emirates Stadium, Heaven was immediately added to Rúben Amorim’s senior squad and is now receiving game time.
Chido Obi is another Arsenal academy graduate now getting a first team opportunity at Manchester United. The young forward made the move to Old Trafford last summer after catching the eye for the Gunners’ young teams and has continued to score prolifically for United’s Under-18 side. Now, he is being integrated into Amorim’s first team.
United need greater attacking quality. Rasmus Højlund has scored just two goals in 23 league appearances this season while Joshua Zirkzee is more of a second striker than a number nine to lead the line. Marcus Rashford, of course, is out on loan at Aston Villa and so the door is open for Obi to make an impact. He might already be a better finisher than anyone else in the United squad.
Heaven and Obi’s emergence comes at a time when Manchester United are facing up to a new financial reality. Sir Jim Ratcliffe gave an interview on Monday in which he revealed the club was set to go bankrupt by the end of the year without budget cuts and also spoke about the £89m in transfer debt United have to pay this summer.
In the past, Manchester United have spent big on big-name players to get themselves out of trouble (or at least try), but Amorim might not have the same luxury. Instead, the Old Trafford club will have to take a longer view of their rebuild and that could mean leaning into the strategy that led to the signing of Obi and Heaven.
This is where Manchester United’s weakness could be a strength. The club’s pitch to other young talents is a good one in that Amorim is more likely to fast-track an unproven proven into his first team with United in such a state of flux right now. Other clubs of a similar stature might not be so willing to do that. They have better players to choose from.
Manchester United’s signing of Patrick Dorgu was another indication that the club is targeting young players to rebuild their squad over the coming years. The 20-year-old had only been at Lecce for two seasons, but United saw enough in Dorgu to suggest he could be their left wing back of the future. The Dane has already started five matches.
In the immediate term, Heaven is the youngster who could make the most profound impact between now and the end of the season. Leny Yoro’s injury could sideline him for a period of time and Heaven’s performance in the second half of the 1-1 draw against Arsenal proved he is capable of stepping into the back three. He looked the part.
“Ayden’s so relaxed. He seems so relaxed that sometimes he’s too relaxed,” said Amorim after Heaven made his Premier League debut against the Gunners on Sunday. “But I think we have a player there, so now we have to control and to tell him that was just the game, et cetera, et cetera.”
In the post-Sir Alex Ferguson era, Manchester United have thrown numerous youngsters in at the deep end too early in their development. Adnan Januzaj, Axel Tuanzebe, Teden Mengi, Tahith Chong, James Garner, Timothy Fosu-Mensah, James Wilson, Cameron Borthwick-Jackson and others are proof of this.
Old Trafford hasn’t been a healthy environment for young players in a long time. Amorim must be careful not to rush Heaven and Obi when they still have their formative footballing years ahead of them. Nonetheless, there is an opportunity for Manchester United to become a finishing school for some of the best academy products from across the country. Heaven and Obi might only be the start.
(Cover image from IMAGO)
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