One of the biggest issues for Manchester United over the past decade has lain in the mentality of the players.
For too long, there was an underlying toxic environment at Old Trafford that engulfed virtually every signing and led to new arrivals falling into the same traps.
This has been a plague within the Manchester United team, but under Ruben Amorim, there is a feeling of this being fixed at long last.
Bad attitudes are being ruthlessly axed from the squad, with Amorim already telling five players not to return this summer, most of whom have had attitude issues for United over the past few years.
However, the new crop of players coming through at the club don’t share these issues, and now one of the brightest sparks at United right now, Ayden Heaven, has lauded one of his younger teammates for his mentality.
Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi applaud Manchester United supporters.
Photo by Marc Atkins/Getty Images
Ayden Heaven discusses Chido Obi’s mentality
At just 18, Heaven is already an indisputable first-team player, and the 2025-26 season will likely see him play a major role in central defence under Amorim.
United consider Heaven to be generational, and he has certainly shown signs of this in the opening few months of his time at the club. Heaven signed from Arsenal to play for United, and he is not alone.
Heaven was the second Gunners talent to make the move to United, following in the footsteps of Chido Obi, who signed for the Red Devils last summer.
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The duo are known to have a close relationship, and now, while speaking with The Athletic, Heaven has praised Obi for this killer mentality.
“We’re really good friends. I’ve known him since he was 12 because he’s always playing up in my age group. Chido is more chilled than you think. You wouldn’t think he scored two goals in that game. He just takes it as his job, nothing big.”
This mentality of not getting too high or too low is the right way for a striker to behave. Obi knows he is quality, and so when he scores, he acts like it is normal.
Obi scored twice against Hong Kong in the post-season tour, which is the game Heaven is referencing, but this is only the beginning.
Chido Obi set for big season at Manchester United
After impressing on the post-season tour, Obi caught the eye for Denmark U20 and won the tournament’s star player award.
Despite only being 17, Obi is already part of the first team, having quickly placed himself ahead of academy football. Obi scored a hat-trick on his academy debut, and didn’t stop from this point until Amorim integrated him into the senior side.
Last season, he made a handful of appearances but failed to get his goal tally off the mark in competitive competition; however, during the 2025-26 season, he will see his role increase.
With a new top-class striker looking unlikely, Obi could get plenty of chances, and if he can start scoring, then he might even end the season as the first-choice striker ahead of his previous idol, Rasmus Hojlund.
It is a big season coming up for Obi, and his mentality will play a big role.