15 hours Ago By [email protected] (George Smith)
After just two substitute appearances in Manchester United colours, the club's decision to sign Ayden Heaven from Arsenal in the January transfer window is already looking like a wise one. United swooped for the 18-year-old in the latter stages of the mid-season window after agreeing an undisclosed compensation package with the Gunners. Despite only racking up 10 minutes worth of senior football at the Emirates Stadium, United signed Heaven for the first-team.
His cameos against Fulham and his former club have quickly proven why. After making his United debut via the bench against the Cottagers in the FA Cup a little over a week ago, the centre-back was tasked with coming on against the Gunners on Sunday, replacing Leny Yoro at half-time. The Frenchman had required treatment in the first half and was unable to continue.
Despite never previously playing in the Premier League, the youngster immediately looked comfortable on the left of United's back-three. Described as possibly being "too relaxed" by United head coach Ruben Amorim , Heaven did not look out of place on his Premier League bow. He was calm in possession and solid defensively.
Amorim said: "Ayden is so relaxed, he seems so relaxed that sometimes he is too relaxed! But I think we have a player there. So now we have to control, to tell him that it was just a game etc. etc.
" Indeed it was just one game, meaning United will have to ensure he does not get too far ahead of himself. His next target has to be secure his first start for the club. With Harry Maguire facing the prospect of missing Thursday's clash with Real Sociedad, he could fill in for the England international.
However, with Patrick Dorgu's suspension only applying to domestic fixtures, the expectation is he will start, Diogo Dalot will move to right wing-back and Noussair Mazraoui will start in the back-three. Patrick Dorgu should return against Real Sociedad. (Image: Juan Manuel Serrano Arce/Getty Images.
) Victor Lindelof, who started against Arsenal ahead of Heaven, will leave Old Trafford in the summer when his contract expires. Jonny Evans is also highly likely to move on, meaning Heaven should quickly be propelled up the pecking order. Left-footed centre-backs are often considered a luxury and United now have two in Lisandro Martinez in Heaven.
The former will be hoping to make up for lost time next season following his ACL injury. However, looking at the long-term, Heaven could be a realistic option to nail down the left-sided centre-back berth in Amorim's trademark 3-4-2-1 system. It relies on balance and Heaven's profile as a left footer make him a perfect fit.
In the other wide centre-back berth, United have a tailor-made option in Yoro. He is only one year Heaven's senior, meaning he is also primed to become a long-term option at Old Trafford . Yoro joined United from Lille last summer and has been playing catch up ever since suffering a metatarsal injury on the pre-season tour.
However, United signed him with a long-term vision in mind, meaning this season was never going to make or break his career in M16. Amorim admitted recently he believes Yoro can become "a top, top, top player" in the future , with the centre-back considered as one of the brightest in European football. Real Madrid were fond of him last summer and it is no secret they only want the very best.
Leny Yoro (left) is still developing. (Image: Paul Ellis/AFP via Getty Images.) Yoro is comfortable as either the right-sided or left-sided centre-back, but the likelihood is he will make his name in a United shirt from the right-sided role.
His athleticism and awareness make him suitable for that position. Should Yoro and Heaven live up to the billing and become mainstays in the wide centre-back roles under Amorim, questions will be asked about who will operate between them as the central pillar. Matthijs de Ligt and Maguire are the current options available but neither of them, despite De Ligt only being 24, are likely to be long-term options under Amorim, who has a preference for developing young talent.
Strengthening at centre-back should not be a leading priority for United this summer but the presence of Yoro and Heaven does potentially offer Amorim food for thought amid his long-term vision for the team. Both Yoro and Heaven have the potential to become regular starters in the coming years and their potential partnership may only be made stronger by signing another player of a similar profile at some point in the future..
