Ayden Heaven has given a perfect response to his debut season at Manchester United recently, after the defender even surprised the head coach, Ruben Amorim, at one stage during the campaign.
Manchester United got a seriously impressive coup when they landed a deal for Ayden Heaven. Eyebrows were raised when the club brought the young defender in alongside Patrick Dorgu in the January transfer window, but he has already won the hearts of the United faithful.
Heaven’s performances up until his injury were good enough to see him possibly have nailed down a first team spot for the remainder of the season. The 18-year-old was wanted by clubs like Barcelona and Chelsea before agreeing to a move to United, as revealed by Laurie Whitwell recently in the Athletic.
A signing like the English defender would never have happened under the previous regime, so it represents a nice change for the club in regards to the recruitment policy.
Heaven’s debut surprised many, and none more than Ruben Amorim, with the head coach being surprised at how he settled into the first team.
Heaven reflects on debut season
Ayden Heaven has reflected on his debut season in a recent interview, looking back over a very impressive campaign in which he staked a claim for a starting eleven spot in the team next season.
Heaven made his home debut against his former club Arsenal in a 1-1 draw at Old Trafford before putting in one of the most impressive centre-back performances by a young United player in a long time at the same ground against Real Sociedad a couple of days later. His first appearance for the club came within the same week against Fulham in the FA Cup defeat.
“I’ve enjoyed it,” Heaven said. “It’s been tough; the team has really helped me to play my best and I just want to keep going next season.
“I always try my hardest when I play to impress people and I think I’ve been doing that. I just want to continue.”
Amorim admitted he was surprised by Heaven’s ascension into the first team but made clear in an interview with Man United’s official media that the club ‘needs more players’ like the 18-year-old.
Heaven could be a starter next season
Heaven is good enough to stake a claim as a United starter next season. The defender has the modern makeup of a centre-back, and his period in midfield at Arsenal’s academy means he has unbelievable ability on the ball.
That ability in build-up is vital in a Ruben Amorim side, as well as his ability to push high up the pitch and be aggressive with his recovery pace. These are the attributes Amorim will need to move his side up to that next level.
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As always, expectations need to be tapered when dealing with an 18-year-old, but he is quite clearly a very, very special talent whom the club and the manager have major trust in.
United have made a lot of mistakes in the last decade, but landing Ayden Heaven is something that deserves the utmost praise.
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