Ruben Amorim said he was "so relaxed" and Christian Eriksen praised him for already showing his personality in training. In what is proving to be a difficult season for Manchester United, an under-the-radar January deal could be a sign of things to come.
Patrick Dorgu was United's blue ticket transfer in the winter window, but Ayden Heaven also arrived on a permanent deal and the 18-year-old has been thrust into the spotlight sooner than anyone really expected.
With a clean bill of health, this squad already carried at least six central defenders, as well as potential fill-ins such as Noussair Mazraoui and Luke Shaw. However, the treatment room has been congested at Carrington, and stockpiling centre-backs has proved to be a worthy pursuit.
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When Leny Yoro limped off against Arsenal on Sunday, he joined Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Jonny Evans, and Shaw on the treatment table. Mazraoui was forced into action at wing-back thanks to Dorgu's suspension.
That meant another appearance off the bench for Heaven, and the teenager impressed against his former club. He has now played 30 minutes against Fulham and 45 minutes against Arsenal, and he looks a worthy candidate to fill a vacancy in the first-team squad next season.
Evans and Lindelof are likely to depart at the end of their deals this summer, and with funds required to fill gaps elsewhere, a centre-back might not be signed to replace them. Based on what he has shown in two cameo appearances, Heaven has what it takes.
"He did really well," said veteran teammate Eriksen of Heaven's performance against Arsenal. "He was playing against his old club, so I’m sure he had a lot to prove, but he’s a nice guy.
"He’s come in and played and tried to be himself in training. I’m happy for him. He played a good game."
Heaven had only six months left on his scholarship agreement with Arsenal and turned down a professional deal, allowing United to sign him for a fee of around £1million. It is the second time in a matter of months that a promising Arsenal academy graduate has swapped the Emirates for Old Trafford.
Chido Obi is generating more headlines, but while the 17-year-old didn't get on against his former club, his defensive colleague did. That shrewd, low-key, and relatively cheap deal is the kind United might pursue more often as Ineos try and cut costs and reshape the club's transfer strategy.
“Ayden is so relaxed, he seems so relaxed that sometimes he is too relaxed!," said Amorim. "But I think we have a player there. So now we have to control, to tell him that it was just a game etc. etc."
Another game could arrive this Thursday and it would be the biggest of his career to date, although Dorgu's availability could allow Mazraoui to partner Matthijs de Ligt and Victor Lindelof if Yoro is unavailable.
However, Heaven will certainly get more game time between now and the end of the season. He doesn't turn 19 until September, and by then, he might have jumped a few places in the pecking order for centre-backs at Old Trafford.
