Ayden Heaven and two other players could transform Manchester United next season

In a season of seemingly endless disappointments for Manchester United, the performances of Ayden Heaven and several others have offered a glimmer of hope for the future.

Ruben Amorim has needed a spark to get his faltering team going during their campaign of lows. The Reds have lurched from one crisis to another under the former Sporting CP boss, with an unwanted record seemingly reached every week.

Those who thought it could not get any worse after Erik ten Hag were proven wrong. United have so far looked like a disaster every week under the Dutchman's successor, with no end to their misery in sight.

But after a string of positive results of late, the outlook under Amorim has suddenly looked a lot brighter. Heaven has been at the heart of United's improvement and other injured stars, Kobbie Mainoo and Amad have also offered a clearer route to success at Old Trafford.

Mainoo has been linked with a move away from M16 this summer as the Reds battle to meet their PSR requirements. The academy graduate's sale would represent pure profit on United's balance sheet, and that must be tempting.

However, even if Mainoo stays, United will likely need to strengthen the midfield this summer. Christian Eriksen appears almost certain to leave, Casemiro remains a player in decline, and Mason Mount continues to be plagued with injuries. Nevertheless, Mainoo has remained a constant figure in the United engine room despite his tender years and the experience of those around him.

Elsewhere, Amad looks set to play an even greater role in United's future under Amorim. The Ivorian was hugely impressive before his own untimely injury.

The forward carried United at times to a similar level currently being seen by Bruno Fernandes. If the 22-year-old can return from injury and hit the same heights once again, United will have a lot less to worry about going forward.

As for Heaven, the now-injured centre-back has slotted into defence nicely and offered United some much-needed solidity. The 18-year-old has played at a level beyond his age.

Most of United's defenders have struggled with adapting to a back-three but Heaven has handled the situation with remarkable ease. The hope will now be that he returns to full fitness for the vital final few months to help rescue a desperate campaign with Europa League glory.

With time and patience, a rare commodity for a club of United's size, Amorim may already have some of the tools needed to transform the Reds going into next season. With a few more astute signings, the fortunes of arguably English football's biggest club may start to look a lot different.

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