To be at Manchester United means having each move scrutinised and analysed endlessly, where only the strong-willed can survive and thrive.
Even the youngsters are not safe from the scrutiny, hence Ruben Amorim’s reticence in throwing them straight into the deep end and exposing them to scrutiny.
One Man Utd youngster, however, might not have that choice and instead, even be relishing this upcoming fixture against Arsenal.
He had his character questioned earlier in the season due to the Arsenal factor and there’s no better way to silence those doubters than by putting in a statement display against that same team.
Photo by James Gill - Danehouse/Getty Images
Photo by James Gill – Danehouse/Getty Images
Man Utd youngster’s character questioned
If the scrutiny is endless and uncontrollable, then the only way to deal with it is to use it as fuel for better performances.
Proving people wrong can be a great motivator and it is exactly that kind of siege mentality that powered Sir Alex Ferguson’s greatest teams.
That hasn’t been the case this season for many players, leading to a vicious cycle of even more criticism and accusations of being soft and fragile.
When United take the field against Arsenal, Ayden Heaven might do well to read about Ben Foster questioning his character back in February.
More United News
Heaven joined from Arsenal in the summer and unlike Chido Obi, there were no reports of a bidding war for his services, leading to questions over his motivation.
Foster had accused Heaven of lacking motivation because he joined a “chaotic” Man Utd over a stable Arsenal team, insinuating it was because of a higher wage only.
Ayden Heaven can prove Ben Foster wrong
Heaven hasn’t been helped by the club because they’ve promoted him as a bonafide first-team signing when he’s clearly still more of an academy player.
Still, Heaven enjoyed a perfect Man Utd debut vs Fulham, leading to expectation that he might be more ready than first thought.
As Harry Maguire is set to miss this game, there is a clear role to play for Heaven against his former team by coming in place of the man he came for against Fulham as well.
One game’s result won’t announce the final verdict on whether Heaven made the right move to join United from Arsenal, however, it will go a long way towards establishing his own credentials.
He wouldn’t have received first-team football so quickly against this level of opposition had he stayed at Arsenal.