The Theatre of Dreams continues to live up to its name, only for Manchester United’s opponents, as Crystal Palace became the latest side to walk away with all three points.
Mateta hit a brace as Man Utd were expertly shackled by Palace, aided by some woeful finishing that laid bare the problems for Ruben Amorim.
United’s Premier League campaign was already going nowhere but losses like these take the wind out of the sails of a team that is under intense scrutiny.
However, true breakout stars arise from the most difficult circumstances, and after the Palace game, it’s clear that a youngster could be set for a trial by fire.
Ayden Heaven can step up at Man Utd
Can an 18-year-old defender who’s just signed and yet to appear for the club truly be asked to “step up” when there’s nothing to step up from?
That’s the situation Ayden Heaven finds himself in after joining from Arsenal in this window.
Heaven is being promoted as a bonafide first-team signing, and his left-footedness means he’s the only defender who can replace Lisandro Martinez as the left-sided centre-back.
The dependence on Martinez was already getting scary but after his injury that looked nasty, that is turning into an emergency situation.
Enter Heaven, who can get his debut now against Leicester City in the FA Cup and have his trial by fire from which he can emerge with his reputation enhanced.
Jonny Evans is the other left-footed option but Amorim’s team selections have made it abundantly clear that fit and physical players are his bread and butter.
Who better than the 6’4″ tall, left-footed centre-back who plays like he’s a midfielder with the ball and with his life at stake off the ball?
Lisandro Martinez is irreplaceable
Having waxed lyrical about Heaven’s potential, it is also worth mentioning that his potential and his current ability are two very different levels.
Even if he comes through the baptism by fire with his reputation enhanced, nobody should be expecting the teenager to come in Martinez’s place and make it his own.
If it happens, it would be a remarkable turn of events but that is exactly why it’s so unlikely because Martinez’s skill set is not replicated in the Man Utd squad.
The combination of progressive passing, aggressive defending, and newly-developed attacking nous is second to none in the team and Heaven can’t be expected to slot in and keep it going.
His minutes could be set for an increase which gives him a golden opportunity to engineer a breakout earlier than expected, but Martinez is irreplaceable.
from United In Focus https://ift.tt/zSFCX5Y