The secret reason Arsenal agreed to sell ‘remarkable’ star to Man Utd

The composed centre-half had spent five years progressing through Arsenal’s academy before starting to train with Mikel Arteta’s senior squad.

Arsenal viewed Heaven as a major prospect—he had featured for England across several youth categories—and took pride in seeing him make his first-team bow in October 2024.

Although Arteta labelled Heaven as ‘remarkable’ during that period, the Arsenal manager still approved the youngster’s transfer to Manchester United a short time afterwards.

Heaven quickly earned minutes under Ruben Amorim, playing five matches before missing two months through injury.

Now 19, he has continued to battle fitness issues this season but hopes those problems are behind him after starting United’s two most recent fixtures.

The Gunners’ choice to part ways with such a gifted homegrown defender surprised many, and according to the Daily Mail, the rise of another academy talent influenced that call.

Marli Salmon entered from the bench to make his first appearance for Arsenal during Wednesday’s Champions League win over Club Brugge.

Having turned 16 in August, he became the club’s fourth-youngest-ever player and the youngest to debut for Arsenal in a European competition.

Arteta’s side has developed an impressive track record of promoting young standouts, with Myles Lewis-Skelly, Ethan Nwaneri and Max Dowman becoming regular contributors for a team challenging for the Premier League title.

Salmon is anticipated to be the next major breakthrough, and those within the club have already likened the England U17 defender to William Saliba, regarded as one of the world’s elite centre-backs.

When explaining why he introduced Salmon in the Champions League, Arteta said: ‘We had to really consider it because we were playing a really good side that had some really good results in the Champions League at home, but we knew that at some point we had to use him.’

Asked why he chose to join Manchester United, Heaven told MUTV: ‘The opportunities that the young players have got here in the past,’ before adding, ‘I think United had the most minutes given to teenagers last season [2023/24]. That convinced me to come here.

‘And the people and the fans here are quite loving, and I felt that when I was playing. They’re so supportive.’

Heaven also said a positive discussion with Ruben Amorim helped persuade him to move to Old Trafford.

The teenager said: ‘He just said that our play style will suit me, because they play three at a back and I play on the left of the three, so that allows me to run with the ball.

‘That’s one of my strengths. And defending out wide is one of my strengths as well.’

Arteta later added regarding Salmon: ‘So, he was ready, he was prepared. He can play as a centre back or as a full back and I’m delighted. He’s so young, 16 still, and he’s playing in the Champions League. So yeah, what a great night for him as well.’

Arsenal have laid out a clear development pathway for Salmon as he aims to become a senior-team mainstay in the coming years, including a potential loan spell.

Speaking to the Daily Mail about Salmon’s qualities shortly after his 16th birthday, a source said: ‘On the ball he’s excellent, and physically for his age he’s strong.

‘Typically, you get chances as a centre back at first-team level later on as you then grow into an adult, but he could well be one of the players that breaks through and gets an early opportunity. He was outstanding against Bayern Munich’s Under 19s and put in some great tackles.

‘He’s good in one-v-one scenarios and moves very well. The first-team coaches like him. He has a good jump on him.

‘He’s nearly 6ft now, he’ll be at least 6ft 3in. It’s hard to break through as a centre back at Arsenal, but he’s doing well.’

While Salmon awaits more senior chances at Arsenal, Heaven is eager to continue progressing at Manchester United after earning successive Premier League starts.

Amorim highlighted Heaven’s performance following United’s 4–1 victory over Wolves on Monday, telling reporters: ‘I think Ayden has a great future. He’s really hard to beat. He adapts really well in the centre.’

United currently sit sixth in the league—one point shy of the Champions League positions—ahead of their match against Bournemouth.

After the dominant win at Molineux, Heaven said: ‘We’ve just got to do what we did today in every game. I don’t think anyone can stop us when we play like this.

‘We want to win as many games as possible. Hopefully we can be in Europe next season, which I think we’ll do.’

When asked whether the squad is committed to securing European football again, Heaven added: ‘Of course, that’s where we belong. I feel like we can just continue how we did today and we’ll be back where we belong.’