West Ham manager Graham Potter would have had his head in his hands if he watched the Manchester United vs Arsenal game on TV.
After 12 long days between games, West Ham are gearing up to face Newcastle on Monday night.
As a real student of the game, Hammers boss Graham Potter will likely have taken some time out to watch Manchester United take on Arsenal in the live TV game on Sunday evening.
Man United played out a 1-1 draw with Arsenal in a much-improved performance under former West Ham managerial target Ruben Amorim.
For West Ham fans watching the game, seeing Declan Rice score a stunner against Man United was not the only thing bitter pill to swallow.
The Hammers and the Red Devils are both reportedly looking to sign a central defender this summer.
It’s easy to see why when you look at the respective defensive records of the two clubs this season.
West Ham actually spent £87m improving their backline last summer.
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They sent £15m Manchester United’s way to secure one of the signings of the season in Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
He is on course to be West Ham’s player of the season.
Split image of West Ham United head coach Graham Potter deep in thought (L) and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim smiling (R)
Split image of West Ham United head coach Graham Potter deep in thought (L) and Manchester United manager Ruben Amorim smiling (R) Credit: Getty Images / James Gill – Danehouse / Rob Newell – CameraSport
West Ham and Man United eye defensive improvements
West Ham also sign Jean-Clair Todibo, on loan with a £32m obligation which was triggered after five league starts.
The Hammers pounced for Todibo after Man United were thwarted by UEFA in their own attempts to sign him.
Multi-club ownership rules saw the Old Trafford side blocked from signing Todibo from Nice, who are owned by Man United co-owners INEOS.
The Red Devils have actually been linked with a move for Todibo this summer – which would be permitted as they would be buying him from West Ham.
The Hammers meanwhile have been linked with Southampton’s Taylor Harwood-Bellis.
Potter also reportedly wants Nayef Aguerd back at West Ham.
Although Aguerd himself has other ideas about a Hammers return.
What Drury said about Man United debutante will sicken Potter
Like Amorim at Man United, age is no barrier to the first team for Potter at West Ham.
So what Peter Drury said about a Man United debutante will sicken West Ham and Potter.
Ayden Heaven was named on the bench for Manchester United against his former club Arsenal.
And Amorim brought the 18-year-old centre-back on for his Premier League debut.
Heaven left the Gunners for Old Trafford in the winter window.
The defender was seriously impressive, winning praise from Man United fans.
Seeing Heaven’s performance was more like hell for West Ham and Potter, though.
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt - AMA/Getty Images
Photo by Robbie Jay Barratt – AMA/Getty Images
Man United’s Heaven is West Ham’s hell
Because Sky Sports commentator Drury revealed Heaven came through the ranks at West Ham before slipping through the club’s fingers to join Arsenal and then Man United.
Depressingly, Drury is spot on.
The powerful, pacy, 6ft 2in Enfield-born star started his football journey at West Ham.
In fact he was in West Ham’s famed Academy for four years between 2015 and 2019.
But he left for Arsenal, where he was highly rated by Mikel Arteta, and has now ended up in Man United’s first team at 18.
There is a serious argument to make that had Heaven stayed at West Ham, he would now be a first team regular under Potter given the maturity of his performances so far for Man United.
Heaven shows Hammers what might have been
On this evidence, Heaven has a long Premier League and international career ahead of him.
To rub salt in West Ham’s wound, Heaven played on the left side of Man United’s back three.
That is exactly where Potter is looking to improve the side at the next available opportunity.
Worse still, Heaven can even be deployed as a box-to-box midfielder.
Who knows, he could have even taken Rice’s place in the Hammers midfield had he stayed in east London.
Heaven followed a worrying pattern of top talent leaving West Ham for Premier League rivals.
With Potter giving a clear pathway to young stars, though, the Hammers are hoping there will be no more player like Heaven escaping their grasp.