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After a lightning-fast start to the summer transfer window, Manchester United seem to have hit a pause in their efforts to reshape Michael Carrick’s squad ahead of their return to the UEFA Champions League next season.

Earlier this month, the club finalised a £39 million signing of Ederson, and soon after, they began pursuing Mateus Fernandes following their decision that Nottingham Forest’s valuation of Elliot Anderson was far too high.

However, negotiations for Fernandes have proven equally challenging, as West Ham hold firm on their £85 million valuation of the 21-year-old Portuguese international. With no clarity on how much can be dedicated to the midfield rebuild, it has become increasingly difficult for United to push forward with other targets — especially for positions such as left-back or left winger.

This situation should prompt United, led by sporting director Jason Wilcox and manager Michael Carrick, to look inward for creative ways to fill gaps that the current transfer budget cannot cover. In that regard, Ayden Heaven — the young centre-back brought in from Arsenal for just £1.5 million in 2025 — could be the perfect internal solution.

Standing at an imposing 6’2” and blessed with mobility and a cultured left foot, Heaven fits the profile of a modern defender. He is as comfortable breaking up transitions as he is playing precise passes from the back.

Despite being just 19 last season, the London-born defender exudes calmness beyond his years. In fact, Ruben Amorim once joked that Heaven was “too relaxed” after the youngster produced a strong cameo performance against his former club Arsenal at the Emirates Stadium.

Arsenal were reportedly disappointed to lose Heaven to a Premier League rival, though internally there was acceptance that breaking into their first team would have been extremely difficult for a young centre-back.

There were also internal debates about Heaven’s best position. He began his development at Hale End as a midfielder before converting into a defender. That background is clear in his ball control and composure, with an impressive first touch and the ability to pass accurately through tight spaces.

Manchester United are currently exploring options for a new left-back to challenge Luke Shaw, especially since Patrick Dorgu has been reinvented as a marauding winger under Carrick. Yet, this might be unnecessary, as Heaven could provide excellent backup at left-back without costing a penny. The funds saved could instead be redirected toward signing a new forward — a strategy that has paid off for rival clubs in recent years.

Over the past few seasons, Manchester City and Arsenal have set the standard in English football. Pep Guardiola and Mikel Arteta have both implemented tactical systems that use centre-backs as full-backs. Arteta’s approach even delivered Arsenal their first Premier League title in 22 years, along with a runner-up finish in the Champions League following a penalty shoot-out defeat to Paris Saint-Germain. The Spanish coach has gained a reputation for prioritising defensive solidity over attacking flair.

That defensive emphasis has made Arsenal statistically the strongest defensive team in Europe. Central to this success has been Arteta’s decision to field a backline made up entirely of centre-backs — with Jurrien Timber at right-back and either Riccardo Calafiori or Piero Hincapie operating on the left.

Guardiola adopted a similar structure when Manchester City secured their first Champions League trophy in 2023, starting Nathan Ake at left-back in the 1-0 win over Inter Milan. Later, he signed Croatian centre-back Joško Gvardiol from RB Leipzig and converted him into a full-back as well.

This tactical blueprint shows how a mobile centre-back with strong technical skills can succeed in a wide role — particularly in systems designed to give attacking players more creative freedom. For instance, if Heaven were deployed at left-back alongside Lisandro Martinez — United’s best ball-progressing centre-back — Martinez could move into midfield during possession phases, while Heaven would tuck in to create a back three.

This 3-2-4-1 shape, reminiscent of Ruben Amorim’s often-criticised formation, was frequently utilised by Carrick during his time at Middlesbrough. So far, United have mostly played in a more conservative 4-2-3-1 formation under the 44-year-old coach, largely to shield Casemiro’s declining mobility, which had been exposed under Amorim’s rigid tactical system.

For United to take the next step under Carrick, Heaven represents an affordable and effective option. He also adds valuable aerial presence — something the team has lacked since Casemiro’s exit.

Additionally, bringing in a new forward, ideally one capable of playing across the front line, could significantly enhance United’s attacking options. It would increase goal threat on the left flank and allow Matheus Cunha to operate centrally, as he has successfully done for Brazil at the World Cup. Keeping Dorgu higher up the pitch, where he has scored three goals in three starts as a winger under Carrick, would further strengthen the team.

Heaven’s talent is too substantial to be left on the bench, yet Martinez remains essential for United’s control in possession. Moving Heaven wider — even if only situationally — would allow both players to start while maintaining balance throughout the squad.

Although it may not appear to be an obvious strategy for improving attacking output, Heaven could be the key to developing a more cohesive and fluid system of ball progression — one that ultimately leads to more scoring opportunities and goals for Manchester United.

Featured image: Julian Finney/Getty Images