Man Utd want to repeat Chido Obi trick by signing ‘remarkable’ talent who Rasmus Hojlund schooled

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Manchester United have a supremely talented academy side which is set to get even stronger in 2025.

Carrington is home to some of the finest academy talents that England has to offer.

This is clear when considering that Manchester United’s U18 side are dominating their peers.

Players like Amir Ibragimov and Chido Obi have stepped up from U18 into the U21 set-up, while Ineos have prioritised signing stars of the future.

After joining United for £1m Sekou Kone has built up his minutes recently. Meanwhile, United’s next prospect addition has already been named in Paraguay’s Diego Leon.

Now, United could be lining up another young addition.

• READ MORE: Manchester United’s Best Academy Players of All Time

Manchester United planning another Arsenal raid after Chido Obi

Sir Jim Ratcliffe admitted his desire to sign the ‘next Kylian Mbappe’ for United, as opposed to signing already proven talents.

This, after years of recruiting poorly and expensively, is something which represents the improvements within United.

So with this in mind, it makes sense to see that United are now in the running to poach another talent from Arsenal, after taking Obi in 2024.

United are firmly in the race to sign Ayden Heaven, who is also wanted by Barcelona, Eintracht Frankfurt and has a contract offer from Arsenal.

United are thought to be leading other clubs, with the 18-year-old at Old Trafford on Thursday night watching the Europa League clash against Rangers.

If he signs, Heaven would join his former Arsenal teammate, Obi, perhaps United should go one better and also sign the fabulous Max Dowman.

READ: Man Utd under-21s top scorers and assists in 2024/25, all results

Mikel Arteta has called Ayden Heaven ‘remarkable’ in the past

Heaven is a centre-back by trade and a very talented one at that.

Last summer, Heaven had his first brush with United, while on tour over in the United States with Arsenal. He started the game between the two and actually got schooled by Rasmus Hojlund who scored early in the game.

Despite this moment, Mikel Arteta has already spoken about the quality Heaven has, while speaking with club media last summer.

“Very impressive. At 17, I don’t know how many players are able to do that on a stage like this,” he stated.

“He’s lost a duel against one of the strongest and fastest players in the world, it can happen, but the reaction afterwards, the composure, the quality, the body language that he had were all remarkable. I’m really happy with him.”

It would be a superb signing for United, one which represents low risk as he could always be sold for profit in a few years’ time if he isn’t of the quality required by United.