Ruben Amorim makes big claim about Ayden Heaven after Premier League debut vs Arsenal | Football

Ruben Amorim was thrilled with Ayden Heaven’s contribution on his Premier League debut for Manchester United against his former club Arsenal

The 18-year-old left the Gunners in January with his route to a place in the first team blocked by a number of experienced centre halves.

United’s defensive injury crisis has, however, offered the teenager a chance to impress his new boss far earlier than anticipated.

Heaven came on as a late substitute in last weekend’s FA Cup defeat against Fulham and he was thrust into action at the start of the second half on Sunday after Leny Yoro was forced off.

Playing on the left-hand side of a back three, Heaven performed admirably and stuck to his defensive duties while he also he also looked comfortable in posession.

‘I think he did really well,’ said Amorim when asked to assess Heaven’s display. ‘He is really comfortable with the ball.

‘So relaxed, very aggressive and I think we have a very good player there.’

Asked why he was forced to bring Yoro off at the interval, Amorim added: ‘Leny has something in his foot. We will see if he is available for Thursday.’

Despite conceding a 74th minute equaliser before missing several superb chances to win the game it was an encouraging afternoon for United whose supporters protested against the club’s ownership before, during and after the game.

‘I think we did well,’ said Amorim. ‘Of course we don’t want to play like this defending so much and giving the ball to the opponent. With all the games and characteristics of the players. [Victor] Lindelof for example without a lot of games. Casemiro is more comfortable in this sort of game.

‘It’s the opponent. The last game before the Champions League was high pressure by PSV, man to man. they are harder to make in this way. We have some good players in the transition. [Alejandro] Garnacho made a really good game.

‘It’s normal. We try to keep the starting XI until the goal. When you suffer a goal, the players tire. We try to choose the best moments to press high.

‘When you coach Manchester United, you cannot play too much like that. You have to try to win the game. I know it is frustrating for the fans sometimes. We have to deal with that and sometimes do things that are not popular.’

On the fans’ protests before the game, he added: ‘This club will never die, that is clear. You feel it in the streets. This is a big business and maybe all the fans in this league sometimes feel it is harder to go to the games and pay for tickets. We want to give them a lot of effort. In the future, we will not play like that.’

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