Ruben Amorim welcomed Patrick Dorgu and Ayden Heaven to Man Utd this winter (Image: Getty)
can thank his lucky stars that chiefs changed their plan for one player in the January transfer window.
The Red Devils boss has been rocked by the news that is set to miss the rest of the season with an ACL tear. United’s defence was already frail, with 34 goals conceded in 24 games this campaign.
And the absence of their only senior left-footed centre-back, who remains one of the club’s standout performers although they are struggling as a collective, will only make Amorim’s job more difficult. But if the manager deems it essential that a natural left-footer steps in for Martinez, he does at least have one fit option.
Aside from left wing-back Patrick Dorgu, defensive prospect Ayden Heaven was United’s only other permanent signing in the most recent window. Heaven made just one senior appearance for his previous club, , who will be due a compensation package worth in the region of for bringing him through their academy.
But he is still rated as a top talent, and only left the Gunners because his route into ‘s first team was blocked by the centre-back partnership of William Saliba and Gabriel Magalhaes.
According to , United had initially earmarked Heaven as a target for the summer, when his scholarship terms were due to expire. But club chiefs scrapped that plan and fast-tracked their move for the 18-year-old to the winter.
Ayden Heaven could be given regular minutes at Man Utd after Lisandro Martinez’s injury (Image: Getty)
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And as a left-footed central defender, that decision could have a genuine impact on United’s campaign. Every other centre-back in Amorim’s squad, bar the injured Martinez, is more comfortable on their right side.
Luke Shaw – a full-back by trade but also a contender to take the left-sided centre-half role – is still out injured. So all of a sudden, having been firmly on the fringes at the Emirates Stadium, Heaven is in with a realistic shout of getting a run of games at his new club.
That will ultimately depend on whether Amorim likes what he sees in training. The manager has been willing to put his trust in 19-year-old Leny Yoro, who is less than a year older than Heaven, on the right side of his back-three.
But he may take more convincing with Heaven given his lack of senior experience. In any case, United bringing forward their swoop for the youth product means Amorim has at least dodged the disastrous situation of going the rest of the season without even having the option of calling on a left-footed central defender.
And that could prove crucial, given that his United team was noted for its imbalance even before the Martinez injury left him short in that department. With Dorgu set to revitalise the left wing-back role and Heaven an option to balance out the back line, Amorim may not be in such a bad position after all.