Manchester United signed ‘the cut price on the century’ for just £1million in the form of Ayden Heaven, in accordance with Harry Redknapp.
The teenage defender left boyhood club Arsenal just over a 12 months ago seeking regular first team football.
Heaven has featured only sporadically under Michael Carrick having made a big breakthrough under Ruben Amorim following his move last February.
With 4 central defenders unavailable, nonetheless, 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 every little thing 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 cut price 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 affix Man Utd?
Given the trajectory of each United and Arsenal on 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 gotten here prior to now,’ Heaven told MUTV when asked why he decided to affix Manchester United.
‘I believe United had probably the most minutes given to teenagers last season [2023/24]. That convinced me to return here.
‘And the people and the fans listed below are quite loving, and I felt that once I was playing. They’re so supportive.’
Heaven also said an encouraging conversation with Amorim also helped persuade 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 enables me to run with the ball,’ the teenager said.
‘That’s considered one of my strengths. And defending out wide is considered 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 might well render Heaven a key a part of the club’s plans in the long run.
The recruitment has taken a battering at Manchester United over the past 10 years & rightly so,’ Ferdinand said on X. ‘But we want to shout out.
‘Ayden Heaven – £1m! Still lots to learn but called upon once more 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 to date 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. Good role-model.’
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