Wan-Bissaka reveals his time playing winger as a youth helps him defend well

Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka says his time playing winger as a youth has helped him become one of the Premier League’s best defenders.

Wan-Bissaka, signed from Crystal Palace over the summer for £50 million ($63m), has been one of the bright spots of United’s season, rarely beaten in one-on-ones with opposition wingers.

After only making his Premier League debut in 2018, it has been a whirlwind year for the 22-year-old – and he says the shift backwards from a right-wing position was key.

“It has gone so quick, such a short space of time, but I'm happy with the chance I was given in that position. I don't regret it,” he told the Daily Mail.

“But the change hasn't been massive to me. I always had that defensive mindset when I was an attacker.

“I used to love tackling as well. When I played right wing, left wingers would beat the right back and I'd be recovering and getting the tackles in. That's where it really started.

“Because I've been in a winger's position I know how to think at times. Where you see space down the line you take it. That's what I like to give them.

“I don't like anything going past me. Anything. And I like to keep it that way.”