Manchester United saw off West Ham in what was a pulsating finale to a high intensity clash and just like Jesse Lingard, no one would have been more relieved than Aaron Wan-Bissaka.
United’s right-back would have been disappointed with his midweek red card against Young Boys and he probably would have thought he let his teammates and manager down.
But just like Lingard showed, mistakes happen, but it’s how you respond to setbacks that defines your character.
And with Lingard scoring the winner, David de Gea saving a penalty, Wan-Bissaka’s own impressive response to adversity went under the radar.
Wan-Bissaka impresses against West Ham
With a Champions League suspension looming and Diogo Dalot pushing for further opportunities, the microscope was on Wan-Bissaka and any error would have been scrutinised at the London Stadium.
But the 23-year-old had a solid afternoon’s work, he was a threat going forward, comfortable in possession and was solid defensively.
With United on top in the first half, Wan-Bissaka drove forward and fired a shot low and hard at Lukasz Fabianksi, who managed to divert it away from danger for a corner.
The full-back did get a huge stroke of luck when his challenge on Tomas Soucek was deemed a foul from the Czech by referee Martin Atkinson, which could have easily been given as a penalty for West Ham.
Only Fred (92) and Raphael Varane (104) had more touches than Wan-Bissaka (91) against West Ham. The former Crystal Palace man had the same amount as touches as the influential Bruno Fernandes (WhoScored).
He was also switched on when needed defensively, winning two aerial duels, only Kurt Zouma (3) won more in the game. Wan-Bissaka also made two tackles and four clearances.
But his desire to get forward and contribute to United’s attacking game was evident with him completing four dribbles, only Paul Pogba (8) and Jarrod Bowen (6) completed more.
Alongside Said Benrahma (2), Wan-Bissaka was the most fouled player on the pitch. He completed 59 out of his 64 attempted passes (92%) and made two crosses on what was an impressive afternoon for the full-back.
Following his clumsy touch in midweek which resulted in the red card, Wan-Bissaka’s performance against West Ham was the perfect way to respond.
With Luke Shaw bombing forward down United’s left, when Wan-Bissaka is in an attacking mood, it gives United’s ability to hurt teams an additional weapon and that’s a daunting prospect for any team.
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