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FBL-ENG-PR-MANUTD-CRYSTALPALACE-WAN-BISSAKA
Wan-Bissaka embodies bright start by youthful Man Utd
MANCHESTER, United Kingdom, Aug 23, 2019 (BSS/AFP) – Manchester United’s
acquisition of Aaron Wan-Bissaka for œ50 million ($61 million) in June raised
eyebrows for a right-back with fewer than half a century of senior
appearances in a far less pressurised environment at Crystal Palace.
But the opening two games of the Premier League campaign have suggested the
capture of the England under-21 international may be one of the most astute
pieces of business United have conducted in recent seasons.
Wan-Bissaka has instantly made his presence felt, a fact borne out by the
statistics against Chelsea and Wolves as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s men have made
a much-needed positive start to the campaign with four points from two tricky
opening fixtures.
The nine tackles he made in the 1-1 draw at Wolves were the most by a
player in a single game to date this season and the 15 he has completed over
the opening two matches also left him top in that category.
The Wolves display also saw the 21-year-old touch the ball 115 times, the
second most by any player in a Premier League game so far this term and an
indication of his growing importance both on and off the ball.
Solskjaer is keen for his defenders to be able to pass their way out under
pressure from the back, but most importantly the addition of Wan-Bissaka and
Harry Maguire for a world record fee for a defender has tightened up a United
defence that conceded 54 Premier League goals last season.
The Red Devils will be confident of another clean sheet this weekend when
Wan-Bissaka faces his former employers Palace, who have yet to score in the
Premier League this season. – ‘Time to adjust’ –
But Solskjaer is keen not to put too much pressure on Wan-Bissaka, despite
his promising start.
“It will take time for any player to adjust to Manchester United, apart
from me, it took me six minutes (to score) of my first game,” joked
Solskjaer.
“But I’m very happy (with him). We’ve got to be patient. It’s a long haul
and it’s very important we get the right ones in.”
Wan-Bissaka represents one of a number of players to have benefitted from
Solskjaer’s vow that he would place a greater emphasis on youth this season.
Existing first teamers such as Marcus Rashford, Scott McTominay, Andreas
Pereira and Anthony Martial are being offered ever-more responsibility by the
United manager while emerging stars such as Mason Greenwood and Axel Tuanzebe
have established themselves as significant squad members.
That profile of player, blended with existing senior stars such as David de
Gea, Juan Mata and Paul Pogba, is a combination that has excited United
supporters, and Wan-Bissaka himself.
“What we have at United now is a good mix of young and experienced players
and, speaking as one of the younger members of the squad, I think that’s
important,” he said in a recent interview.
“We need people to set the standards to live up to, to set the tempo in
games when we need it and the more experienced players in the dressing room
are capable of doing that. It has been really easy to come here and feel a
part of things.”
BSS/AFP/GMR/0855 hrs