Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s situation at Manchester United is symptomatic of the conundrums hanging over so many of the current squad. Last season, the right-back was one of the first names on the teamsheet.
After keeping Raheem Sterling quiet in a 2-0 win at the Etihad, Jamie Carragher declared that he was the “best one-on-one defender for a full-back in the world.” During this campaign though, Wan-Bissaka has been a shadow of his former self. With erratic defending and poor passing, his development has gone backwards.
Now it is understood that Erik ten Hag is willing to let the 24-year-old go, preferring Diogo Dalot. However, Dalot hasn’t made a particularly convincing case for himself either.
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It would be understandable if Wan-Bissaka was let go for his attacking abilities. His attacking flaws were evident from an early stage in his United career but like so many of United’s current crop, their underperformance this season has left many wondering whether he is up to the standard required.
The drop in form of Wan-Bissaka, Marcus Rashford and Luke Shaw, amongst others, has been alarming, to the point where very few players can consider their futures at the club safe. It would have been fascinating to see whether a coach like Ten Hag would have revived Wan-Bissaka’s United career.
It is not unthinkable that his attacking abilities might have been improved under a coach with greater pedigree than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick. United face his former club Crystal Palace on Sunday and nobody would be surprised if Wan-Bissaka returned to Selhurst Park next season but when a footballer’s big move doesn’t work out, it can shatter their confidence.
His potential sale would bring risk to United too. A number of areas in the squad require urgent attention and funds may be needed elsewhere.
Some fans would argue all players tarnished by this season need to be shown the door... that would be the ultimate definition of a clean slate. Nevertheless, a rebuild must be somewhat measured, otherwise too many signings will need bedding in.
Wan-Bissaka is clearly a Premier League level player. The problem is that there is little agreement as to where exactly which type of club he should be at.
Like so many on United’s pay roll, his United career might have been doomed from the outset. On the other hand, in another set of circumstances, he could have been so much more.
