Ruben Amorim comes away from Villa Park with zero points but a new first XI player after a dominating display against Aston Villa in difficult circumstances.
Manchester United didn’t walk into this game as favourites anyway, and then the injury to Bruno Fernandes made things even more difficult.
Ruben Amorim finally turned to the academy, giving debuts to Shea Lacey and Jack Fletcher, but it’s clear that neither can be put under too much pressure.
The same is not the case for another youngster, who is going from strength to strength and is now Amorim’s newest first XI star after a dominating performance against Villa.
Ruben Amorim reaping rewards of trusting Ayden Heaven
Ayden Heaven found himself in a similar boat as Kobbie Mainoo to start the season, but he has been a textbook example of making himself undeniable.
A glut of injuries in defence forced Amorim’s hand, and Heaven was thrust into an unfamiliar central centre-back role.
Heaven felt Amorim’s trust, and despite a difficult time on his first league start, kept his place in the first XI and has since gone from strength to strength.
The game against Villa was his toughest test this season, and he aced it with flying colours.
He was his best dominant self, jumping into duels with authority, winning a remarkable seven out of the nine he contested.
With 64 touches, passing accuracy of 87% (41/47), and a remarkable 12 defensive actions, it was an all-action display in the best possible areas. (stats courtesy Fotmob)
He is getting a good idea of when to hold the line, when to jump and engage the attacker in midfield, and when to play his line-breaking passes.
His composure on the ball is helping United evade the press, and his increasing confidence is setting him up for a continuous first XI even when senior players return.
Heaven has a ready-made role in Man Utd first XI
Heaven is playing in the centre now, but even when Matthijs de Ligt returns to take his spot, Heaven has a ready-made role in the first XI.
He broke through at Old Trafford as a left-sided centre-back, where his left-footedness allows him to open up the outside passing angles.
If Amorim feels comfortable rolling the dice on Luke Shaw as a wing-back, then there is clear space for Heaven to slot in at LCB, while Lisandro Martinez continues his outing as a defensive midfielder due to an injury crisis.
Along with Casemiro’s return, it gives United a brilliantly secure left-footed axis on that side of the pitch, something they haven’t had for years.
Heaven’s form has earned the trust that he needs to continue as a starter regardless of the players returning. That’s meritocracy.
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