Ruben Amorim is not a very happy man right now, but if he had just waited until the summer, then he would have realised that a player in his ranks is making an overhaul realistic.
There is a gaping hole in the Man Utd midfield right now, made worse due to the absences of Bruno Fernandes and Kobbie Mainoo.
It is the area that will be addressed urgently in the summer, with the only question being whether United buy one or two new midfielders.
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One is non-negotiable, but they might be able to buy two because another player in the Man Utd squad is taking care of other priorities.
Ayden Heaven’s breakout continued against Leeds
Ayden Heaven has managed to prove this season that his breakout last season was not a fluke, coming in from the cold and establishing himself as a force to be reckoned with.
He recently won United’s Player of the Month award for December for his sterling displays in the absence of senior figures like Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt.
Heaven continued that run of form against Leeds, with a calm and collected display at a ground with a raucous atmosphere.
There was a hiccup for the opener from Leeds, where he seemed to get caught off-guard by Aaronson’s speed and desire, but even then, he chose to stay calm instead of lunging in and getting sent off.
Aside from that moment, it was another great display where he made football look easy with his composure on the ball and command of his area.
He finished the game with 71 touches, completing 50/60 passes while having a remarkable 11 defensive contributions. (Stats courtesy Fotmob)
For United and Ineos, this breakout comes at the perfect time, because it reshuffles their transfer priorities.
Heaven’s breakout solves Man Utd’s transfer problem
This breakout couldn’t have been better timed, because Maguire’s contract is expiring in the summer.
While getting a midfielder was a priority, United needed to set aside funds to potentially enter the centre-back market as well, especially if they persisted with 3ATB formation.
Wes Brown is backing Ayden Heaven! Do you share his confidence?
“I think we’ve said it every time he’s played: he’s been excellent. He’s done his job and hasn’t looked out of place in any way.”
Wes Brown
This is something Andy Mitten alluded to recently, on how United are closely monitoring Heaven’s readiness for a full first-team role.
If Heaven continues his run of form from now on until the end of the season, United will be convinced that he’s the answer to the centre-back question.
Effectively, he will have saved United the odd £50m they would have spent on a defender, and those funds would be redirected towards another midfielder instead.
If United are forced to break their club transfer record for Elliot Anderson, then Heaven’s breakout ensured they will still have money to buy someone like Carlos Baleba.
All of a sudden, courtesy of a single £1.5m investment in Heaven, United would have arguably the best midfield in the league from one of the worst ones.
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