Aaron Wan-Bissaka is a totally unique player in modern football and Manchester United must do everything to keep him.
It has been remarkable to watch Aaron Wan-Bissaka‘s surge in form in 2023. Having shaken off the injuries which hampered his start to the season, he has truly kicked on.
He needed to. Entering January there were doubts over his future. An injury to Diogo Dalot made it essential he stay put, and he is putting together a case to be the club’s first choice right-back, for this season and beyond.
Wan-Bissaka shut down Brighton winger Kaoru Mitoma at Wembley with ease. The Japan international studied a thesis on dribbling and has been terrorising defenders all season. Until he met Wan-Bissaka.
In recent weeks Wan-Bissaka has been labelled as the best one v one defender in the world by James Maddison, while Peter Schmeichel went a step further and proclaimed him as one of the best defenders ‘ever’.
Wan-Bissaka is a Unicorn
There are two dictionary definitions for a Unicorn. The second one fits Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
- a mythical animal typically represented as a horse with a single straight horn projecting from its forehead
- something that is highly desirable but difficult to find or obtain
Well he’s not the first – but he might just be the second. Wan-Bissaka’s skillset is so unique that Manchester United would never be able to find it again.
Where else in world football could United find a defender as accomplished at winning duels and shutting down wingers like Aaron Wan-Bissaka can?
It’s very simple – Manchester United won’t be able to find a full-back who is as adept defensively as Wan-Bissaka.
This alone is reason to keep him. Through the season, United will be faced with difficult defensive match-ups. Wan-Bissaka even in a situational role, is a player who can be trusted to get the job done. He should be protected at all costs.
There is speculation the club could sign right-back Jeremie Frimpong this summer. His attacking numbers are great, nine goals this season. He also plays as a wing-back in a 3-4-3 formation at Bayer Leverkusen.
Of the two defenders United have, Diogo Dalot actually looks more vulnerable.
Manchester United’s mind over Aaron Wan-Bissaka should already be made up, that he will be staying put. Letting him go would be a big regret.
He has kept clean sheets in his last five consecutive Premier League starts. If Manchester United make the decision to sell him, there will be a lot of disappointed supporters.
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