Ayden Heaven: Playing as central defender in Man Utd back three is intense

Scoring the decisive goal was 21-year-old Patrick Dorgu, an unlikely scorer who impressed with an exceptional first-half display.

For Heaven, the match marked his first experience playing centrally in a back-three defence, having previously featured on the left side of the same system.

Speaking after the game, Heaven acknowledged the challenges of adapting to the middle of the defence, particularly against a team like Newcastle that applied relentless pressure in the second half.

His performance, widely described as a "masterclass," underlined his defensive maturity and composure despite limited Premier League experience earlier in the season.

"That middle [spot] is probably one of the most important, because you can't switch off, can you?" said our no.26, in an exclusive interview with United Review.

"You're alone against the striker really, so you can't afford to switch off. It was great obviously and it was true that it was my first time ever playing there, so it was a lot different."

Injuries to Matthijs de Ligt and Harry Maguire provided Heaven with the opportunity to step up, and he has now started all five matches in December, cementing his place in Ruben Amorim's evolving defensive setup.

Amorim hinted at potential system changes in the coming weeks, but Heaven's adaptability could make him a key figure in United's plans.

The win continues Manchester United's push for momentum heading into 2026 and maintains their focus on defensive solidity, with the team eyeing their third clean sheet of the season in their next fixture.

That match comes against Wolves at Old Trafford on Tuesday night, where Heaven is expected to retain his starting role. 

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