Seconds before the curtain came down on a trying Manchester United season, a final consolatory positive seeped through Hong Kong’s unrelenting matchday shower, sourced from one of our term’s true silver linings.
Ayden Heaven’s first senior goal for United – a booming headed conversion of a teasing penalty-box inswinger from Amad – was a fitting way to round off a campaign in which the young mid-season arrival has firmly established himself as a first-teamer of the present and future at Old Trafford.
The 18-year-old had only played 10 minutes of professional football when he left Arsenal to become Ruben Amorim’s maiden signing in February, but the declaration that he would go straight into our senior squad in his transfer announcement was a sign of the talent and potential he was already valued with in these parts.
He made his debut at the beginning of March in extra-time of a nerve-straining Emirates FA Cup clash with Fulham and, having been unmoved by the infrared tension of a fifth-round tie that went all the way to penalties, seized further opportunities in the weeks that followed.
A bout of backline injuries may have jarred the door open, but the teenage defender seldom shuddered as he made his Premier League bow against his former club Arsenal, earning a first European start and excelling as Real Sociedad came to town before impressing again in the first half of our win at Leicester City, only to be stretchered off shortly after the interval with a wickedly timed injury that would keep him out of the side for exactly two months.
Thankfully, the Islington-born teen was able to make his comeback before the season was out with a brief cameo away to Chelsea in our penultimate league outing, and any fears of him not quite being able to rediscover his seemingly effortless stride were then eased on the final day, with an imposing 66-minute showing against Aston Villa suggesting his early form was no flash in the pan.
While the centre-back’s spring-time emergence was a show of natural talent and blossoming potential, his end-of-season return was an indication that he’s got the character and consistency traits needed for successful future at United. That, particularly after arriving for a small reported fee, is why he’s become renowned as an astute addition by Amorim and fans alike...
The 18-year-old had only played 10 minutes of professional football when he left Arsenal to become Ruben Amorim’s maiden signing in February, but the declaration that he would go straight into our senior squad in his transfer announcement was a sign of the talent and potential he was already valued with in these parts.
He made his debut at the beginning of March in extra-time of a nerve-straining Emirates FA Cup clash with Fulham and, having been unmoved by the infrared tension of a fifth-round tie that went all the way to penalties, seized further opportunities in the weeks that followed.
A bout of backline injuries may have jarred the door open, but the teenage defender seldom shuddered as he made his Premier League bow against his former club Arsenal, earning a first European start and excelling as Real Sociedad came to town before impressing again in the first half of our win at Leicester City, only to be stretchered off shortly after the interval with a wickedly timed injury that would keep him out of the side for exactly two months.
Thankfully, the Islington-born teen was able to make his comeback before the season was out with a brief cameo away to Chelsea in our penultimate league outing, and any fears of him not quite being able to rediscover his seemingly effortless stride were then eased on the final day, with an imposing 66-minute showing against Aston Villa suggesting his early form was no flash in the pan.
While the centre-back’s spring-time emergence was a show of natural talent and blossoming potential, his end-of-season return was an indication that he’s got the character and consistency traits needed for successful future at United. That, particularly after arriving for a small reported fee, is why he’s become renowned as an astute addition by Amorim and fans alike...
STAND-OUT MOMENT
Any one of Heaven’s performances against Arsenal, Real Sociedad or Leicester – all across a formative eight-day spell – could be picked here, likewise his goal in Hong Kong, but it’s the young defender’s display in our win over a Champions League-chasing Villa side that will likely come to the forefront of Ruben’s mind when thinking about the 18-year-old’s place in his squad this summer.
It would be understandable for any player to be a little unsure upon returning to the starting XI from long-term injury, never mind a teenager very much still adjusting to life at the magnitude of a club such as United, but Ayden played with the freedom of mind often associated with creative playmakers further up the park.
He reduced the space afforded to Aston Villa’s attackers, was timely in tackles, composed on the ball, won duels in the air and, ultimately, picked up exactly where he left off before his injury.
Any one of Heaven’s performances against Arsenal, Real Sociedad or Leicester – all across a formative eight-day spell – could be picked here, likewise his goal in Hong Kong, but it’s the young defender’s display in our win over a Champions League-chasing Villa side that will likely come to the forefront of Ruben’s mind when thinking about the 18-year-old’s place in his squad this summer.
It would be understandable for any player to be a little unsure upon returning to the starting XI from long-term injury, never mind a teenager very much still adjusting to life at the magnitude of a club such as United, but Ayden played with the freedom of mind often associated with creative playmakers further up the park.
He reduced the space afforded to Aston Villa’s attackers, was timely in tackles, composed on the ball, won duels in the air and, ultimately, picked up exactly where he left off before his injury.
PERFORMANCE INSIGHT
In his young United career to date, Ayden has primarily featured from the left-sided position in the three-man backline that props up Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
It’s a role that suits the young defender’s athletic attributes, where he can use his profound pace to engage with speedy wide attackers and cover any ground vacated once our wing-backs – expected by Ruben to contribute in the final third – have advanced.
On the ball, Heaven is a naturally left-footed centre-back and has already shown in his six competitive matches for the Reds that he’s adept at bringing the ball forward through marauding dribbles, otherwise often choosing to recycle possession with short, sharp passes to nearby team-mates.
The teenager was, however, notably tasked with a different duty in our recent game against Hong Kong, China, where he operated as the central centre-back in the defensive three. From there, our no.26 – who can also play in midfield – wasn’t shy in showing off his expansive passing range, showcasing a succession of direct balls out to the flanks and through the lines with accuracy, despite the soggy pitch conditions underfoot.
In his young United career to date, Ayden has primarily featured from the left-sided position in the three-man backline that props up Amorim’s preferred 3-4-2-1 system.
It’s a role that suits the young defender’s athletic attributes, where he can use his profound pace to engage with speedy wide attackers and cover any ground vacated once our wing-backs – expected by Ruben to contribute in the final third – have advanced.
On the ball, Heaven is a naturally left-footed centre-back and has already shown in his six competitive matches for the Reds that he’s adept at bringing the ball forward through marauding dribbles, otherwise often choosing to recycle possession with short, sharp passes to nearby team-mates.
The teenager was, however, notably tasked with a different duty in our recent game against Hong Kong, China, where he operated as the central centre-back in the defensive three. From there, our no.26 – who can also play in midfield – wasn’t shy in showing off his expansive passing range, showcasing a succession of direct balls out to the flanks and through the lines with accuracy, despite the soggy pitch conditions underfoot.
WHAT AMORIM HAS SAID
“I think, once again, Jason Wilcox [the club's technical director] is doing a great job bringing [in] Ayden. I think these types of players are what we need. He showed a lot of quality and character after the big injury. We want these types of players.”
WHAT WAYNE ROONEY HAS SAID
“It’s a huge football club and at this time now, when maybe it’s not going right, to come in and play at 18 – it’s a lot of pressure, because those expectations are on you from the first minute. But I think, from the games he’s played, he’s been fantastic. I came in as an 18-year-old at United and you do feel that pressure, but to come in as a centre-back - which is obviously a position where you can’t afford to make mistakes, otherwise you get punished – is very difficult. He looks like he’s been there for years and that’s the biggest compliment I can give him.”
DID YOU KNOW?
Heaven started against United for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly last July. Yet to make his senior debut for Mikel Arteta’s men at the time, he played the first half of the clash in Los Angeles, which the Gunners came from behind to win 2-1.
Heaven started against United for Arsenal in a pre-season friendly last July. Yet to make his senior debut for Mikel Arteta’s men at the time, he played the first half of the clash in Los Angeles, which the Gunners came from behind to win 2-1.