Ruben Amorim has been understandably cautious to promote untested youngsters of late given the red-hot toxicity around Old Trafford in recent weeks, but there is a shifting sense that United’s thriving youth ranks could give them a significant boost this season.
So with Sir Jim Ratcliffe tightening the club’s purse strings, restricting United to one major January signing – Patrick Dorgu for £25.1m from Lecce – and Amorim’s options threadbare, perhaps the time will soon be right for the next wave of Carrington fledglings to break through.
Despite Heaven having made just one senior appearance for the Gunners, United’s technical director, Jason Wilcox – Manchester City’s former academy director – revealed that the 18-year-old would go straight into the senior squad.
Another player who has been on the precipice of United’s first XI is Harry Amass, a dynamic left-back who nearly made his debut under Erik ten Hag before his progress was stalled as the club encouraged him to beef up and put on muscle.
The prospect of clubs selling homegrown players for “pure profit” in PSR (profitability and sustainability rules) terms may appeal to Ratcliffe and the Ineos bean-counters, but is anathema to fans keen for United’s proud academy tradition to continue.
