How Aaron Wan-Bissaka has turned his fortunes around at Man United

Aaron Wan-Bissaka came on for the second-half of the Carabao Cup final with clear instructions from Erik ten Hag, whose side led by two goals to nil.

Diogo Dalot had done his best, but when a dangerous opposition winger needs to be stopped - especially one in the shape of Newcastle’s Allan Saint-Maximin - there’s only one man for the job.

That Wan-Bissaka would now be affectionately characterised in this way is both a statement on his unparalleled defensive abilities and an appreciation of football’s ever evolving landscape.

The 25-year-old joined the Red Devils from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2019 for an initial fee of £45 million and, in a period of United disarray, became a lightning rod for criticism. So intense is the spotlight at a club the size of Man United that Wan-Bissaka essentially became a bad player upon switching jerseys.

In the season prior, he had enjoyed a breakout campaign, featuring 35 times in the Premier League for Roy Hodgson’s side, who claimed a 12th placed finish. The rangy defender also managed to bag himself three goals, earning England U21 nods in the process.

But all the optimism surrounding the emergence of another world-class English right-back was quickly dispelled at Old Trafford. Suddenly the youngster wasn’t a complete enough defender. Yes, he could be disciplined in defensive situations, but he couldn’t offer anything going forward.

Former Blackburn defender Michael Gray told talkSport Wan-Bissaka’s abilities on the ball weren’t even good enough for League Two. While Paul Scholes called him ‘useless’ in possession.

Even in the moment it was clear to pundits and fans alike that United’s fullback was a victim of timing. In a footballing world that prioritised the attacking talents of Kyle Walker, Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold, there was no place for the miscast defence-first Wan-Bissaka.

The Old Trafford malaise circa 2019/20 certainly played its part too. United kept convincing themselves of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s suitability for the manager’s job against their better judgement. Before finally cutting the cord in 2021 and wandering the wilderness with Ralf Ragnick for the remainder of the year.

But at last, there appears to be some stability at the club and some consistency for Wan-Bissaka because of it.

In February’s league cup final, the Palace academy graduate justified his manager’s faith after coming on. Four successful tackles - more than any other player - is a pretty good return for 45 minutes work.

Added to the fact that Saint-Maximin left the field after 77 minutes with no goals, no assists and just a single shot on goal - which came against Dalot in the first-half - and Wan-Bissaka can be adjudged to have carried out his role to perfection. A role that suits his talents to a tee.

That Carabao Cup final win proved to be somewhat of a catalyst for the Englishman, who missed the early months of the Ten Hag regime with injury and loss of form. Since the Wembley showcase, Wan-Bissaka has played an important role in United’s run to the top four and FA Cup final.

Has his overall game improved somewhat? Yes, but this revival is less of Wan-Bissaka’s own doing - he hasn’t turned into Cafu overnight. Though, to be fair, his delivery from out wide is often overlooked. No, the footballing trends of the day have finally come back around in his favour.

When Manchester City announced the signing of Manuel Akanji from Borussia Dortmund last summer, few would have expected the Swiss international to be such a crucial cog in the City machine.

In October, Pep Guardiola told the club’s website that it was the player’s ‘movement defensively and offensively’ that’ve made him so special. The same remit Ten Hag has given Wan-Bissaka.

The Citizen’s have evolved their approach in possession in recent years to maintain a solid defensive structure that retains three players within the backline. As opposed to the style championed by themselves and Liverpool that utilised advanced overlapping fullbacks to generate chances.

This adjustment in tactical approach has seen something of a mini-explosion of inverted fullbacks, with even Jurgen Klopp yielding to the strategy last season as he sought to solidify Liverpool’s leaky defence.

Now, an inverted fullback Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not, but he is a devastating defender who can play on the right of a back three with an ever improving offensive ability one would expect of a player so young. Under Ten Hag, he finally has a manager who can nurture his talent and help him grow. Wan-Bissaka admitted as much.

‘I understand what [Ten Hag] demands,’ he told the Manchester Evening News earlier this month. ‘And just where he wants me on the pitch, you know, and also what he wants from the whole squad.

‘What's changed? I'm playing, I'd say. It's a good feeling. I'm happy that I'm being given the chance to play under this manager, and I'm grateful for the chance.’