Manchester United could struggle to give Ayden Heaven and Leny Yoro the gametime they need for the rest of the season.
Michael Carrick’s start to his second stint as Manchester United head coach has been very impressive. His 2-0 win against Manchester City was one of the best performances Old Trafford has seen in recent years – probably since Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s tenure as United boss, when Carrick was one of his trusted assistants.
Against City, Bruno Fernandes returned to the No.10 position, with Kobbie Mainoo returning to central midfield. In his first Premier League start of the season, Mainoo ran the show – including a brilliant turn past Antoine Semenyo, which saw the Old Trafford crowd leap out of their seats.
Amad and Bryan Mbeumo also returned to the starting lineup after their African Cup of Nations run. Despite question marks about how Carrick could start them both, they were among United’s best players, with Mbeumo netting the first goal of the game, and Amad coming close on more than one occasion.
Carrick managed to return United to the United way after just three days of training with the group. It won’t be that simple going forward, though. The Red Devils face top-of-the-league Arsenal this weekend, but that’s not the real test. Carrick will likely play in a very similar fashion against Mikel Arteta’s team, with a very similar team selection. That is the problem.
Team selection will be the biggest issue from now until the end of the season. Carrick will want to pick his strongest XI each and every week, but that leaves one of Rúben Amorim’s best players without a regular place in the starting lineup.
Where does Heaven play for Carrick?
Ayden Heaven was the only shining light towards the end of Amorim’s United tenure. He started as the central defender alongside Lisandro Martínez and Luke Shaw, before playing as the right-sided centre-back in a back four formation under Darren Fletcher.
With Harry Maguire returning to the starting lineup, Heaven was dropped from the starting lineup against Manchester City, although he did play five minutes off the bench in place of Shaw. If Martínez is to keep his place in central defence, Heaven could have to adapt to the left-back spot, using his experience in midfield to invert inside and get on the ball.
However, United’s current crop of left-wingers all like to drift inside into the half-space, meaning the full-back needs to hold the width on the flank. Patrick Dorgu could play that role, but his future may also be higher up the pitch, especially against the top teams in the Premier League. Heaven could deputise at left-back at those games, but Shaw would likely be chosen ahead of him for his experience and defensive skillset.
Carrick has a huge decision to make on the former Arsenal youngster. If he can’t give Heaven a guaranteed role in the starting team, which he won’t be able to do when Matthijs de Ligt returns to full fitness, perhaps he should be allowed to leave the club on loan.
Heaven has the potential to be playing regular football for United, but that won’t happen if he isn’t playing football – he won’t develop at the rate he could. The central defender has already proven he can play week in, week out in the Premier League, so let him do it.
Could Yoro suffer the same fate?
Despite being the only fit right-footed centre-back, not including Tyler Fredricson, Leny Yoro wasn’t chosen to start games in a back four under Fletcher against Burnley. He did start against Brighton in the FA Cup, but wasn’t rewarded with a start against City, and didn’t feature off the bench either.
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Yoro has been out of the side for some time, with just 12 Premier League starts this season. Maguire and De Ligt will be chosen ahead of him on the right side, with Martínez and Heaven ahead of him on the left, so where does he play?
Amorim tried Yoro at right-back against Newcastle United, but it quickly became clear that he couldn’t defend the wide areas – Anthony Gordon hasn’t had that much joy for a long time. Yoro may be another young player who needs a loan move.
The January transfer window will be key in both Heaven and Yoro’s United futures. Let’s wait and see what will happen.
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