Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven both signed from Arsenal last seasonChido Obi and Ayden Heaven both signed from Arsenal last season
Chido Obi and Ayden Heaven both signed from Arsenal last season | Manchester United via Getty Images
They will use the opportunity to cut their squad after the failure to qualify for the Champions League.
Ruben Amorim has a long list of things he would like to do in the summer transfer window, but he is well aware that his Manchester United squad rebuild will take a few windows to be completed. United have already reached an agreement to sign Wolves star Matheus Cunha, while talks are underway over a move for Brentford ace Bryan Mbeumo. After that, the focus will be to sign a striker. Anything else will be a bonus.
The United head coach has already warned they 'are not allowed to do so much this summer' due to financial fair play rules and the player sales will soon become the main priority. After their failure to earn Champions League qualification, they do not need as big a squad next season and will use the setback as a chance to accelerate their overhaul.
It is for those reasons United will listen to offers for just about every first-team player this summer. It also helps that they can a crop of young talent that are now recognised as senior options.
Read More
Heaven and Obi set for first-team roles
Manchester United supporters have already been given a taste of what to expect from Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi in the first-team, and next season could see them both play even more prominent roles. The duo are both viewed as high potential players and could benefit from the summer overhaul, with key players set to leave in their respective positions.
Speaking on the recent post-season tour of Asia, Ruben Amorim reiterated he had been 'surprised' by the standard Heaven has set since his January move from Arsenal, given he did not know too much about the teenager when he joined. "It's a good opportunity to see the young players and sometimes we have surprises like Ayden [Heaven], who every time he has played, has proved that he's a first-team player," he said.
United will consider centre-back options this summer after Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans both departed as free agents, though it is not as much of a priority following the emergence of Heaven. The 18-year-old could start the season as the first-choice left centre-back, with Matthijs de Ligt in the middle and Leny Yoro on the right. They also have additional cover from Harry Maguire, Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw, while there is an argument Diogo Dalot could feature in a centre-back role if required as well.
It can even be argued Heaven is a better fit in a back three than the injured Lisandro Martinez, and he could keep him out of the starting line up when he is available again at the start of next season. He should get an audition for the role in pre-season, and if he continues to surprise Amorim then the opportunity is his for the taking.
Obi has a similar chance in attack. The 17-year-old shone in their post-season tour of Asia and showed his tremendous talent with a delightful brace in the comeback win over Hong Kong. He is still a very raw option in attack, but is another who will get plenty of play time in the summer schedule.
United are in pursuit of a star striker in the summer transfer window, which might not actually be bad news for Obi. It did not suit him well that he was understudy to an inexperienced Rasmus Hojlund last season and he often came into matches with an expectation to score a goal, rather than play with freedom when a result was already confirmed.
Inter Milan are interested in a potential move for Hojlund this summer, which could see Obi retain his role as backup striker, albeit to a more established goal scorer. It means he should still get meaningful minutes from the bench next season and be able to learn from whichever striker they add to their first-team squad.
There will be plenty of goodbyes from Old Trafford this summer, but they should help them say hello to two new first-team regulars.
Continue Reading