Featured Image Credit: Getty
Topics: Manchester United, Arsenal, Football, Premier League
Ryan Smart
Fans are only just realising how much Manchester United paid to sign centre-back Ayden Heaven from Arsenal.
Heaven put in a player of the match display as Ruben Amorim's side defeated Newcastle 1-0 at Old Trafford on Boxing Day.
The result moves United level with fourth-placed Chelsea on 29 points in the Premier League table, albeit they have played a game more and have a worse goal difference.
It was a particularly significant win for United as they secured it without their usually ever-present captain Bruno Fernandes, who suffered a hamstring injury against Aston Villa.
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Amorim's side had just 33 per cent possession over the 90 minutes but withstood heavy Newcastle pressure, especially in the second half.
They lined up in a 4-3-3 formation, diverting away from Amorim's usual 3-4-3, with Heaven lining up alongside Lisandro Martinez at centre-back.
That switch looked to surprise Newcastle, and Patrick Dorgu - lining up on the right side of attack - opened the scoring on 90 minutes.
Then it was all about the defence, with Heaven winning 100 per cent of his ground and aerial duels while not committing a single foul as United held on for the victory.
He also cleared the ball eight times, including when he headed away Lewis Hall's cross deep into second half stoppage time.
The 19-year-old was yet to make his Premier League debut when he joined United in February.
It was a fairly low-key signing, but Heaven impressed when given his league debut against former club Arsenal in March.
But his season was effectively cut short later that month when he suffered a serious ankle injury during the 3-0 win over Leicester.
Heaven made only one more start - in the season-ending 2-0 home win over Aston Villa - and had to bide his time for an opportunity this season.
But the former Arsenal youngster has now featured in United's last five games, starting the last four of them.
His last match for the club prior to that, in any competition, was as part of the United U21 side that lost 4-1 to Solihull Moors in the National League Cup in November.
United were able to sign Heaven without paying a transfer fee - minus compensation terms - due to his contractual situation at Arsenal.
The defender signed scholarship terms with the Gunners but never agreed to a professional contract, and was in the final six months of his deal before United swooped.
Reports suggest that they paid over £1 million in compensation for the 19-year-old, who was able to move to Old Trafford immediately rather than waiting until the summer.
According to the London Evening Standard, Arsenal were said to be 'comfortable' with Heaven's departure, having not yet been given his league debut at the time.
TBR Football claimed that the Gunners did offer him a professional contract, but he rejected it in favour of a move to United.