The 18-year-old had only played 10 minutes of professional football when he left Arsenal to become Ruben Amorim’s maiden signing in February, but the declaration that he would go straight into our senior squad in his transfer announcement was a sign of the talent and potential he was already valued with in these parts.
He made his debut at the beginning of March in extra-time of a nerve-straining Emirates FA Cup clash with Fulham and, having been unmoved by the infrared tension of a fifth-round tie that went all the way to penalties, seized further opportunities in the weeks that followed.
A bout of backline injuries may have jarred the door open, but the teenage defender seldom shuddered as he made his Premier League bow against his former club Arsenal, earning a first European start and excelling as Real Sociedad came to town before impressing again in the first half of our win at Leicester City, only to be stretchered off shortly after the interval with a wickedly timed injury that would keep him out of the side for exactly two months.
Thankfully, the Islington-born teen was able to make his comeback before the season was out with a brief cameo away to Chelsea in our penultimate league outing, and any fears of him not quite being able to rediscover his seemingly effortless stride were then eased on the final day, with an imposing 66-minute showing against Aston Villa suggesting his early form was no flash in the pan.
While the centre-back’s spring-time emergence was a show of natural talent and blossoming potential, his end-of-season return was an indication that he’s got the character and consistency traits needed for successful future at United. That, particularly after arriving for a small reported fee, is why he’s become renowned as an astute addition by Amorim and fans alike…
