Chelsea wanted to sign me in January transfer window but one match decided my future

Manchester United centre-back Ayden Heaven has explained that his trip to watch the Reds play Rangers in the Europa League last season sold him on a move to Old Trafford - despite reported interest from Chelsea.

Heading into theJanuary transfer window, Heaven was capturing a lot of admiring glances having impressed for Arsenal's academy, but not having really broken into the first-team. Gabriel Magalhaes and William Saliba's stellar partnership froze a lot of defenders out of the picture at the Emirates Stadium.

As such, Heaven claims he realised that he needed to make a move to break into a Premier League squad's first-team. The Athletic understands that Eintracht Frankfurt invited the centre-back over to Germany, while Chelsea, Barcelona and Marseille were also showing a keen interest in the 18-year-old at that time.

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However, the defender said to the same news outlet that there was "no going anywhere else" when he witnessed United take on Rangers in the Europa League - a match that Ruben Amorim's side won 2-1. "That was the game that made my mind up, really, because I've never been to a louder stadium than that," Heaven explained.

"It was really noisy and the staff in the directors' box were really kind." After revealing that he chatted with Sir Alex Ferguson that night, Heaven added: "I saw myself playing in that team while I was watching.

"I felt like three at the back would suit me." Heaven made just one senior appearance for Arsenal, during his time at the club, but after moving to Old Trafford in January, he has managed to bag six appearances for United.

Next season, with Jonny Evans retiring and Victor Lindelof leaving, Heaven is expected to have a greater role in the United defence, even if they make an additions in that area this summer.