Manchester United has consistently developed numerous talents through their esteemed academy, with forward Alejandro Garnacho being one of the most recent players to excel at the senior level.
The Argentine joined the club from Atlético Madrid in 2020, initially integrating into the youth team before successfully advancing to the professional ranks.
Since then, he has made 130 appearances for the Red Devils, netting 23 goals, including eight during the current season at Old Trafford.
Ruben Amorim has recognized Garnacho’s value, as evidenced by his 14 starts since Amorim’s appointment in late November.
In contrast, another player appears to be excluded from the 40-year-old manager’s plans, having been allowed to leave on loan in January.
Marcus Rashford’s time at Manchester United
Academy alumnus Marcus Rashford found himself sidelined from the United squad following Amorim’s appointment, managing only six appearances since he took charge in the North West.
Nevertheless, Rashford has been loaned to Aston Villa, where he has successfully regained his form, contributing four assists under Unai Emery, which has led to his recall to Thomas Tuchel’s England squad.
His tenure at his childhood club has been remarkably fruitful, with an impressive tally of 138 goals in 426 appearances, beginning with his debut in the Europa League in 2016, where he scored twice against FC Midtjylland.
The 27-year-old quickly became a fan favorite due to his remarkable performance that night in February nine years ago, with few anticipating the level of success he would achieve.
Currently, another promising talent from the Red Devils has the chance to emulate his success following an impressive display during his inaugural European match for the club.
The player who could be United’s next Rashford
Performing on a European stage can be a formidable challenge, especially for one’s inaugural professional appearance, a feat that Rashford accomplished effortlessly years ago.
Centre-back Ayden Heaven has similarly risen to the occasion, delivering an impressive performance in the victory over Real Sociedad on Thursday night, marking his first start for United following his transfer from Arsenal this summer.
There is no doubt that the 18-year-old was a strategic acquisition for the academy; however, after such a noteworthy display, it would not be surprising to see him included in Amorim’s first-team plans moving forward.
The young player has taken advantage of the current injury crisis affecting the defensive lineup, seizing the opportunity to excel at Old Trafford against the LaLiga side.
Heaven played the full match, achieving an impressive 86% pass completion rate and recording 64 touches, demonstrating poise and composure in possession despite his youth.
Additionally, he won all of the ground duels he contested, made four clearances, and successfully executed one tackle, contributing significantly to the Red Devils’ advancement in their quest for a trophy this season.
| Ayden Heaven’s stats for United against Sociedad | |
|---|---|
| Statistics | Tally |
| Minutes played | 90 |
| Touches | 64 |
| Passes completed | 42/49 (86%) |
| Ground duels won | 4/4 (100%) |
| Clearances made | 4 |
| Tackles won | 1 |
| Interceptions made | 2 |
| Stats via FotMob | |
The defender, referred to as “exceptional” by Liam Canning, has undoubtedly created a selection dilemma for Amorim as other players recover from their injuries.
He has mirrored Rashford’s impressive debut performance in a European competition, showcasing the potential to achieve similar success as the Englishman at Old Trafford.
If Heaven can reach even a fraction of the heights attained by the forward in Manchester, he will prove to be an incredible value, with the opportunity to secure his position in defense and contribute significantly to the team’s pursuit of regaining their former glory.
Leave a Reply