In every crisis, there’s an opportunity but Ruben Amorim’s crisis is getting so dire he’d probably like it if there were fewer opportunities at this point!
That crisis’ breaking point was reached against Leicester City with Ayden Heaven’s injury that looked serious and could keep him out for a while.
Amorim was coy on the severity afterward, and Heaven was walking on his own after the game, albeit with a protective boot, but the numbers in defence are dwindling.
Dwindling numbers caused Heaven to get his opportunity and with his injury, United’s own Ayden Heaven can get his after the international break.
Man Utd’s own Ayden Heaven before Arsenal signing
As a tall, physical, left-footed centre-back, Heaven had all the raw tools to succeed at this level but he still came with effectively zero first-team experience.
His quick success at the first-team level provides the blueprint for others to do the same, and would have filled Ruben Amorim with confidence that he can throw the dice on more youngsters.
The easiest way to do it is by substituting one tall, physical, left-footed centre-back for another, and United have just the player in their youth ranks.
Godwill Kukonki was expected to be Amorim’s first debutant at Man Utd, with the manager namechecking his qualities early in his tenure.
Since then, he’s been leapfrogged by the likes of Harry Amass and Chido Obi but it had as much to do with United’s extensive options in defence as it was about Kukonki’s readiness.
Kukonki has made his England debut for the youth sides since that encouragement from Amorim and flourished for the United academy teams as well.
It’s time to roll the dice on him as he’s as close to Heaven as a player as one can get in terms of physical gifts and playing style.
Godwill Kukonki has the raw tools
There was concern over Heaven’s readiness when United promoted him as a first-team signing despite his coming from Arsenal as a youth player.
However, when the sense of positioning and anticipation is raw, which comes with playing time and experience, physical tools can often bail out the player.
Kukonki is at a similar stage of his career where he’s by no means the finished product, far from it, but his combination of pace, guile, and confidence makes him a capable option.
His raw tools will be nurtured with time but a baptism of fire, much like Heaven received, can go a long way towards building character.
It’s time for Ruben Amorim to field his first favourite at Old Trafford.
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
