Erik ten Hag has hailed Aaron Wan-Bissaka's impact since returning to the Manchester United fold ahead of their clash with Leicester City on Sunday afternoon.
The right-back has started in 13 of the Red Devils' last 16 matches in all competitions since the World Cup break and has taken advantage of the chance handed to him by Ten Hag. The United boss gave Wan-Bissaka an opportunity in the Carabao Cup tie against Burnley after Diogo Dalot picked up an injury while on duty with Portugal.
And Wan-Bissaka has staked a claim for a regular place in the starting XI from then on, although Dalot is now back from his injury lay-off. It gives Ten Hag healthy competition in the right-back position and he could have major selection dilemma on his hands before the Carabao Cup final next weekend.
But before then, United take on Leicester in the Premier League and then Barcelona in the second-leg of their Europa League last-32 tie at Old Trafford on Thursday. Wan-Bissaka hasn't started any of United's last two league matches with Dalot handed back his starting berth, but Ten Hag has praised the ex-Crystal Palace defender.
"Yes, of course," the Dutchman said when asked whether he was pleased with Wan-Bissaka's recent performances. "He is improving his game and I’m happy with his return.
"He had a difficult first part of the season but he fought himself back and that’s a credit to him. If you struggle, you fight yourself back; that’s what life is about, and especially top football.
"You always have to be on the front foot, you always have to be ready," Ten Hag added. "Sometimes you have setbacks and you have to deal with it and fight back; that is what he did.
"As you say, he’s also now improving his game. [In his] defending I think he was always reliable, but offensively also now he has an impact."
Having been blocked from leaving Old Trafford in the summer transfer window and then again in January, Wan-Bissaka is ready to fight for his place and make that spot his own. He was linked with a move to West Ham and Wolves in the winter window but hasn't been allowed to depart the club.
Wan-Bissaka isn't the only United player to return to form after a blip either, with Marcus Rashford truly getting back to his best under the stewardship of Ten Hag. England ace Rashford had struck just five goals in all competitions last season and was all but set to miss out on selection for the England squad at the World Cup.
However, the 25-year-old has completely turned around his form and is currently one of the deadliest forwards in European football right now, having struck eight goals in his last nine league matches. Rashford also scored United's first goal in their 2-2 draw with Barcelona on Thursday and is arguably playing the best football of his career.
Speaking about Rashford and the possibility of him signing a new contract, Ten Hag said: "Of course it’s a priority. We are working on that. Just sit, wait, but in the background we work hard. When he is happy, it gives him energy, and that gives him a positive mood, and then the goals will come.
"He has such great skills. On the first day I met him, I said: ‘I want to see you smile, I want to see your teeth’. He is in a happy place."
