Aaron Wan-Bissaka explains how Erik ten Hag talks led to Man Utd transfer U-turn

30 August 2023 , 15:51

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Aaron Wan-Bissaka explains how Erik ten Hag talks led to Man Utd transfer U-turn

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has credited Erik ten Hag for helping him salvage his Manchester United career.

Wan-Bissaka, 25, had fallen down the pecking order at Old Trafford prior to Ten Hag's arrival at the club last summer but has managed to establish himself as a first-team regular during the Dutchman's reign.

Prior to that, Wan-Bissaka, who cost the Red Devils £50million back in 2019, had been tipped to move on after failing to live up to expectations. The former Crystal Palace man is now considered an integral cog in Ten Hag's team - and he is under no illusions over how big an impact his manager has had on his Manchester United career.

Speaking to ManUtd.com, Wan-Bissaka revealed how he has learnt plenty both on and off the pitch since Ten Hag took charge. He said: “It's been good, especially for myself. I've learned a lot under him. And there's more to come, more improvement to be done. So, yeah, I'm happy. He's helped the team. You can see the team's transition has changed.”

Wan-Bissaka has been criticised in the past over a lack of attacking output, but the full-back bagged an assist in United's 1-0 win over Wolves at the start of the season and has been working hard to improve that aspect of his game.

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Unsurprisingly, Ten Hag has been influential in helping him to do so. He adds: “Yeah, it's things I've been working at. It's what the manager wants, he wants me in those areas of the pitch. It also helps the team, whether I've got the ball or not, just to make space for them and create opportunities.”

Join the debate! What have you made of Wan-Bissaka's start to the season? Let us know here.

Aaron Wan-Bissaka has credited Erik ten Hag for helping him turn his Manchester United career around (Sky Sports)

Wan-Bissaka's performances during the second half of the 2022/23 campaign has led to him starting the new season as United's first-choice right-back. He was even hailed as the "best one-v-one defender in the world" by James Maddison after stifling Brighton's Karou Mitoma in the FA Cup semi-final.

It had widely been speculated that Ten Hag would look to sign another right-back following his arrival last summer and numerous names were linked with a transfer to Old Trafford. Wan-Bissaka was tipped to be sold in January to fund such a move.

However, Ten Hag paid tribute to Wan-Bissaka's character after he stayed put to fight for his place. In an interview with The Times back in May, Ten Hag said of Wan-Bissaka: “We make an effort in going in his character, we got a relationship, and from there he got motivation, got his chance, he performed, and from there on he got more belief.”

Dan Marsh