Ruben encouraged by youthful duo

Ruben Amorim suggested that Ayden Heaven and Chido Obi proved their ability to operate at the level required for Manchester United off the bench against Fulham.

The young duo were both making debuts of sorts in the Emirates FA Cup fifth-round tie – with Obi’s introduction for the closing stages of regular time his first taste of first-team action at Old Trafford, while Heaven’s appearance for the duration of extra-time was his maiden outing at senior level for the Reds.

Obi, who also came off the bench in our Premier League trips to Tottenham Hotspur and Everton last month, proved a handful in attack for Amorim’s men, drawing two fine saves from Fulham goalkeeper Bernd Leno in either half of extra-time.

Heaven, meanwhile, was a solid figure in our back three for those tense final stages, after he replaced Harry Maguire at the start of the first half of extra-time.

“They are players with talent and then, when you have this moment with some injuries, they have to be ready,” Ruben said. “It’s our tradition to put players in to play, especially in this moment.

“We have to focus on everything, the future is right there and the young kids can feel the club and can change things sometimes for us, without buying players.

“And I think Chido did really well today. Of course, he was a little bit naïve in some moments, but you felt that, inside the box, he wants the ball – something the strikers have and he has.

“Ayden was really relaxed during the game so I’m quite happy for them but it’s a tough first [home] game for them.”

The performances of the fledgling pair offer little consolation against the backdrop of a disappointing exit from the FA Cup, which we had hoped to retain following our success at Wembley last season.

But there was certainly encouragement to take from the efforts of both players, at either end of the field, as United’s attentions now turn to Real Sociedad in the Europa League on Thursday.

We congratulate both Chido and Ayden on their latest achievements, and feel sure there will be more to come from both.

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