Manchester United’s decision to spend £50 million on Aaron Wan-Bissaka in 2019 was reflective of the transfer market at the time. Rivals City had made this kind of expenditure on full-backs look routine.
There was an acceptance at the time that United were paying for potential, with Wan-Bissaka’s strong defensive skills offset by weak attacking attributes.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s coaching staff hoped to develop Wan-Bissaka from a rough diamond into a £50 million player. But it didn’t really work.
Wan-Bissaka’s attacking game showed minor improvement before regressing, while cracks started to show in the defensive side of his game. Erik ten Hag may be about to fix all that.
READ: Confirmed Manchester United transfers in, out, loan deals for January 2023
Ten Hag can turn Wan-Bissaka into a £50 million player
When Erik ten Hag was appointed as Manchester United manager earlier this year I spoke with an Ajax supporter about which players the manager could work his magic with to improve.
The one he picked out was Aaron Wan-Bissaka, which, a few months in, was looking like bad call. Right now, it seems as though he was onto something all along.
Wan-Bissaka has overcome the injury problems which dogged the first part of his season, and his Manchester derby display was the culmination of a month of hard work.
The right-back has conceded just one goal in 471 minutes of football this season, Jack Grealish’s header at the weekend, fitting seamlessly into the Red Devils’ vastly improved defence.
What was most striking at the weekend was his confidence on the ball. One sequence of play in the second half saw him masterfully switch feet to retain possession and lay the ball off to a teammate.
Wan-Bissaka provided an assist on his return to action against Burnley last month and he has re-established himself as a credible first team option.
It is clear to see already that Erik ten Hag’s coaching staff has begun to work wonders with the 25-year-old defender.
The Mail report that United have shelved any plans to sell or loan Wan-Bissaka and intend to keep him this month.
It’s a wise decision, as the defender is just at the beginning of his journey of improvement under Ten Hag.
The former Crystal Palace man could finally turn into the £50 million defender Manchester United planned for him to become.
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