Man Utd told they have made ‘signing of the century’ from Arsenal | Football
Manchester United signed ‘the bargain on the century’ for just £1million in the shape of Ayden Heaven, according to Harry Redknapp.
The teenage defender left boyhood club Arsenal just over a year ago in search of regular first team football.
Heaven has featured only sporadically under Michael Carrick having made a significant breakthrough under Ruben Amorim following his move last February.
With four central defenders unavailable, however, for last weekend’s game against Chelsea, Heaven was handed a rare start and formed a makeshift partnership alongside Noussair Mazraoui.
The pair coped admirably with everything that was thrown at them by Chelsea’s attack and Heaven drew particular praise for his composed and dominant display.
Naming him in his Premier League Team of the Week, Redknapp told Bet Victor: ‘Ayden Heaven is the bargain of the century of you ask me!
A mere £1 million and this 19-year-old whipper-snapper goes and delivers a standout, mature defensive performance.
He was the calmest player on the pitch in a high-stakes away game. He hasn’t played since Amorim left and this kid has now laid down a marker to Michael Carrick.
Why did Ayden Heaven leave Arsenal to join Man Utd?
Given the trajectory of both United and Arsenal at the time of his arrival at Old Trafford, Heaven’s transfer decision appeared questionable but he explained the motives behind the move last summer.
‘The opportunities that the young players have got here in the past,’ Heaven told MUTV when asked why he decided to join Manchester United.
‘I think United had the most minutes given to teenagers last season [2023/24]. That convinced me to come here.
‘And the people and the fans here are quite loving, and I felt that when I was playing. They’re so supportive.’
Heaven also said an encouraging conversation with Amorim also helped convince him to make the move to Old Trafford.
‘He just said that our play style will suit me, because they play three at a back and I play on the left of the three, so that allows me to run with the ball,’ the teenager said.
‘That’s one of my strengths. And defending out wide is one of my strengths as well.’
Those sentiments were echoed by Rio Ferdinand who suggested United’s recruitment department deserved praise for identifying the talent that could well render Heaven a key part of the club’s plans in the future.
The recruitment has taken a battering at Manchester United over the last 10 years & rightly so,’ Ferdinand said on X. ‘But we need to shout out.
‘Ayden Heaven – £1m! Still lots to learn but called upon once again and delivered!’
Redknapp, meanwhile, also singled out Bruno Fernandes for praise after he created Matheus Cunha’s winning goal and registered an 18th assist of an increasingly impressive individual campaign.
He said: ‘What can I say that hasn’t already been said about Bruno Fernandes?
‘The United captain delivered a Man of the Match performance yet again, what would this club do without him? He’s now produced eighteen assists so far this season and I can see him breaking all those records.
‘He’s the skipper that others should look to, intelligence, communication, defensive consistency and relentless pressing throughout the match. Brilliant role-model.’
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Man Utd told they have made ‘signing of the century’ from Arsenal | Football
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