It was an accusation that followed Ole Gunnar Solskjaer around like a bad smell during his three years at Manchester United. How many individual players did the 1999 Champions League winner genuinely improve at Old Trafford?
Similar criticism certainly cannot be levelled of his successor, Erik ten Hag.
With goals in four successive games, Marcus Rashford is in the form of his life. Ditto Luke Shaw. Diogo Dalot, Victor Lindelof, Scott McTominay and Fred have made notable strides forwards under Ten Hag too; the Dutchman’s crystal clear approach and expert man-management lifting a resurgent United side to within one point of neighbours Man City.
Even Aaron Wan-Bissaka looks like a man reborn, Ten Hag breathing fresh life into a career which looked in dire need of some CPR.
In Dalot’s injury-enforced absence, Wan-Bissaka has started every Man United game since the World Cup break and looks almost unrecognisable from the man who appeared destined for the chop just a few short weeks ago. As comebacks go, it’s up there with Michael Keaton’s from Hollywood misfit to Golden Globe nominee.
Wolves, West Ham and Crystal Palace want Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Manchester United
“Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been absolutely fantastic. He really has,” former Premier League full-back Micky Gray tells talkSPORT; the England international followed up a rare assist against Burnley with another imposing display vs Nottingham Forest.
“He’s been out of the frame for a long, long time. What a performance he’s put in (against Forest). Not a foot wrong. And he’s getting in the opposition’s half, putting balls in the box, making things happen. Great performance.”
He was good, again, in Tuesday’s 3-0 triumph over AFC Bournemouth at Old Trafford.
Whether Wan-Bissaka’s resurgence is enough to save his Man United career, however, only time will tell. Ten Hag would still ideally prefer a more technically-gifted, creative option on the right. And United’s ongoing interest in Bayer Leverkusen speedster Jeremie Frimpong means that questions surrounding Wan-Bissaka’s future are likely to rear their head again sooner rather than later.
‘Absolutely fantastic’ Wan-Bissaka
Leverkusen, however, have no plans to sell Frimpong this month (Fabrizio Romano). Not unless a ‘crazy offer’ arrives. And, with money tight as the Glazers tighten the pursestrings, Ten Hag is in no real position to be making ‘crazy’ bids in January. United’s pursuit of a new right-back can wait, for the time being anyway.
As such, the chances of Man United letting Wan-Bissaka leave before February’s deadline – Wolves, West Ham United and former club Crystal Palace having expressed an interest (90Min) – look much slimmer now than they did two weeks ago.
“He is pretty solid defensively,” adds one Gary Neville; he knows a thing or two about life as a United right-back (Sky Sports).
“But a lot is expected of a modern full-back. We often say that he’s not good enough with the ball. I agree with that, but that assist was absolutely brilliant.”
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