Manchester United continue to show serious intent in the transfer market, not only chasing first-team reinforcements but also snapping up some of the most exciting young talents in Europe.
Ruben Amorim is building for the future at Old Trafford, and key figures behind the scenes are ensuring that United don’t fall behind in the race for the next generation of stars.
United’s academy, long admired for producing legends like Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes and Marcus Rashford, is being reshaped with the future in mind, and the latest addition could prove to be a huge coup.
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The Red Devils are not only trying to strengthen the senior squad but also reshape the pathway to the first team, and one former Arsenal starlet has been identified as the next to big thing.
United signed 18-year-old Ayden Heaven from Arsenal earlier this year but had other suitors as well.
Eintracht Frankfurt made a push, inviting Ayden Heaven to watch a game in their stadium, while Barcelona, Chelsea and Marseille also expressed serious interest.
United, though, led by director of football Jason Wilcox, won Heaven over with an invitation to Old Trafford for the Europa League match against Rangers.
“That was the game that made my mind up, really, because I’ve never been to a louder stadium than that,” he explained while speaking to The Athletic.
“It was really noisy and the staff in the directors’ box were really kind.”
He had a brief greeting with Sir Alex Ferguson and also got excited at the formation in front of his eyes.
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“I saw myself playing in that team while I was watching.
“I felt like three at the back would suit me.”
That was what Wilcox had said to Heaven during the process of choosing which club to join. United saw Heaven as a good fit for the spot on the left side of the back line in Ruben Amorim’s system.
“I met Jason at Carrington and he was showing us around, and then I saw Ruben when we went out to the pitches,” Heaven says.
“We spoke for like five minutes and he said he would help me.”
United agreed a £1.5million ($2m) compensation fee to sign Heaven six months ahead of his contract expiring, bringing an end to five years at Arsenal.
“It was time for a new challenge and to experience new things, a different place in the country, different style of football,” Heaven says.
“I felt like it was easier for me to get in United’s first team and it’s working out so far. I just want to continue it.”
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