It is often said that academy products are a curse. And indeed, less than a year after investing nearly two million euros to sign him for its academy, Ayden Heaven  2006) is earning his wings at Manchester United.

After completing the controversial signing of Chido Obi (Glostrup, 2007) from Arsenal's academy, Manchester United delivered a double blow by bringing in Ayden Heaven from Hale End, a player whom Mikel Arteta had given his first-team debut a few months earlier. Specifically, in late October, in the Carabao Cup round of 16, playing the final 10 minutes against Preston North End.

"It is very unfortunate because we want to keep our academy players and see them succeed in the first team. But, in the case of Chido and Ayden, we could not do anything," Arteta stated ahead of an Arsenal-Manchester United match that resulted in Heaven's Premier League debut just days after his Manchester United debut against Fulham in the FA Cup.

He certainly had to take a crash course, as a week later, he started at Old Trafford against Real Sociedad in the second leg of the Europa League round of 16, going on to complete the full 90 minutes. "He handled the scenario well and left a great first impression," acknowledged Ruben Amorim, who has firmly bet on him.

Initially, he showed the makings of a physically dominant and personality-filled center back. However, it was evident that he lacked experience and, especially, a 'touch' of pessimism. Nothing out of the ordinary for a kid who was overly dominant in youth categories and is now beginning to channel that excess of confidence into composure. "Sometimes, he is too relaxed. But I think we have a great player project and we need to manage it," Amorim conceded after that match against Arsenal.

Last season ended with six matches played. Exactly the same number he has started this season in the eight matches he has played to date. The last five as a starter and the three most recent ones playing the full match. The absence of Maguire or De Ligt, the gradual recovery of Lisandro, or the doubts left by Yoro have helped him. But when it was time to perform on the field, Heaven responded.

His latest performance against Newcastle on Boxing Day served to reaffirm his confirmation. Amorim tweaked the system, placed him as a right-footed center back on the wrong side in a back four... and he 'devoured' Woltemade. It wasn't just that he didn't allow him a shot. It's that, with help from Lisandro, he didn't give him an inch to breathe, executing 10 defensive actions, highlighting his eight clearances... in addition to completing 34/36 (94%) of the passes he attempted.

He seemed like the most experienced player on the pitch. But he is barely 19 years old and not even Dorgu's great performance deprived him of winning the MVP award. "I am very happy with Ayden. You can see he improves with every match. He is young, but you feel he has a good game, and then his thinking accelerates. He trains very well. If he continues like this, it will be very difficult to take his spot," analyzed Amorim. He is certainly earning it.

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