Roy Keane and Gary Neville agree after Ruben Amorim FINALLY makes key Man Utd change

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Ayden Heaven was showered with praise after earning the man of the match award in Manchester United ’s backs-to-the-wall win over Newcastle on Boxing Day. Heaven is just 19 years old and was making just his 13th appearance for the club in a new position, but shone at Old Trafford .

United were without Bruno Fernandes , Harry Maguire and Matthijs de Ligt for the game, while Mason Mount also went off injured. Meanwhile, Bryan Mbeumo, Amad Diallo and Noussair Mazraoui are away at the Africa Cup of Nations, forcing Ruben Amorim to adapt.

The home side took the lead through Patrick Dorgu’s stunning volley from a Diogo Dalot long throw-in and then managed to weather the storm of Newcastle pressure. Key to their victory was the performance of Heaven , who slotted in at right centre-back, despite being left-footed.

Amorim has been stubborn in his use of a 3-4-2-1 formation since becoming United boss, but did adapt against Newcastle, with a rare back four often resembling a back six in the latter stages of the match. It helped United keep just their second clean sheet of the season and their first since a 2-0 win over Sunderland on October 4.

“He (Heaven) did very well. The game suited him,” Roy Keane said on Sky Sports . “He has learnt his trade. These are basic parts of defending. It gives you confidence. Outstanding.”

Former United defender Gary Neville added: “Manchester United hung in there. Heaven was absolutely brilliant. Those Newcastle players… four or five of them collapsed to the ground at the end. Heaven has been the man of the match.”

Heaven was delighted to finally end the run without a clean sheet as United moved up to fifth in the Premier League table. “Finally, clean sheet, we’ve been waiting for this, and I’m just so happy,” he said.

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“This guy (Dorgu) here helped us get there, so thankful to everyone that helped us. It was different, I was playing on the right side, obviously my weaker foot. The manager, we play loads of formations with him, whatever he does we know it’s going to work, you saw today. I’m so proud of the team.”

Amorim praised his players for toughing out the win despite seeing little of the ball and was particularly happy with his young defender. “I'm really pleased with Ayden. You can feel that he’s improving every game,” he said. “He's young, but you don't feel that he has a good game and then he slows the game or the thinking during the game.

“No, you feel that he’s improving during the game. I think he was not playing, but he trained really well. You just need to train really well to be ready when the opportunity comes. So, in this moment, if you continue to play like that, it's going to be really hard to take his place.”

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