Man United planned to sign wonderkid in summer until Jason Wilcox’s change of heart

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Manchester United’s transfer strategy under Ineos has been to recruit young and exciting stars.

After signing the likes of Chido Obi and Sekou Kone in the summer, Manchester United continued their trend of signing top young talent this window.

United spent £25m to sign Patrick Dorgu from Lecce after Ruben Amorim demanded a new left wing-back.

Dorgu’s athleticism makes him a “machine” and at 20 years old he still has plenty of time to improve and fulfil his potential.

The same can be said for 18-year-old centre-back Ayden Heaven, who was signed from Arsenal this window. Both new signings were unveiled at Old Trafford with United staff viewing Ayden Heaven as a first-team signing rather than an academy player.

However, United did not initially plan to sign Heaven this window.

Jason Wilcox fast-tracked Ayden Heaven deal

Heaven and Dorgu are Amorim’s only reinforcements this window. United also signed wing-back Diego Leon, but the Paraguayan will only join up with the squad in the summer.

It ended up being a fairly quiet window for United with more focus on departures than incomings, but there was a chance that Amorim may have only had one new signing this window.

That is because The Athletic report that United initially planned to pursue Heaven in the summer when his scholarship at Arsenal was due to expire.

Amorim is pleased with United’s business this month with Dorgu and Heaven both considered “high-potential recruits for the long-term”.

Technical director Jason Wilcox is said to be influential in getting the Heaven deal over the line, and United’s decision to fast-track his signing has turned out to be a masterstroke.

Ayden Heaven could replace Lisandro Martinez

United’s centre-back department was fairly well stocked after the signings of Matthijs de Ligt and Leny Yoro in the summer, but that is no longer the case after Lisandro Martinez’s serious knee injury.

The likes of Victor Lindelof and Jonny Evans are ready to step up and replace the Argentine, but with a busy schedule ahead, Heaven could have an opportunity to break through.

READ MORE: Man Utd have signed ‘generational talent’, Ineos thrilled to seal second ‘landmark’ deal – transfer window in review

United clearly feel that Heaven is ready for first-team football, and he now has a good chance of making his senior debut this season.

Wilcox and United’s recruitment team will be delighted with their decision to bring Heaven’s move forward by six months – it could end up benefitting Amorim’s plans in the second half of the season.