Aaron Wan-Bissaka has had a great first season with Manchester United. The right-back transferred from Crystal Palace last summer for a fee of £49m.
The 22-year-old has been a solid defensive right back, but many have scrutinised Wan-Bissaka for his attacking output throughout the season. This has been unfair on the youngster.
Why Criticising Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s Offensive Output is Harsh
Lack of Support on The Right
Wan-Bissaka has often had to operate on his own on the right flank with no natural right-winger in the side. Daniel James has played there often but has been poor for the most part of the season, and the Welshman doesn’t come inside from the right. This limits Wan Bissaka’s ability to make overlaps and to get the ball in dangerous positions.
Bringing in a top right-winger like Jadon Sancho would allow Wan-Bissaka to link up with someone going forward. This would mean that he’d be able to better his offensive output as he won’t be outnumbered on the right flank when on the ball or making a run.
His Attacking Qualities Are Different To Trent Alexander-Arnold
The Manchester United right-back is always compared to Liverpool’s Trent Alexander-Arnold. The two are very different, with Wan-Bissaka generally being rock-solid defensively, but Alexander-Arnold has world-class attributes going forward in his crossing. The two players are completely different and play in different systems, which makes the comparisons of them strange at times.
Wan-Bissaka’s crossing isn’t his strongest trait, but he has great dribbling abilities. He has averaged 1.7 dribbles per game. However, once the defender has dribbled past his man, he finds it difficult to cross at the right time and often overruns. But in the latter stages of the season, we can see improvement in this department in Wan-Bissaka’s game. He has created 11 chances for United in 2020.
Yet, the former Palace man’s crossing is not bad. This is shown from his great assist to Anthony Martial in the victory over Chelsea. His technique is somewhat strange as he is usually unbalanced when crossing the ball, but he puts the ball into good areas. If he works on his balance, he can improve his crossing output.
The United player also has good passing ability, often looking to play infield passes to midfielders in space. This is useful, as he can play passes to midfielders between the lines of the opponents’ midfield and defence. He found January signing Bruno Fernandes four times infield against Manchester City. With United linked to Jack Grealish, who is also known for his positioning between the lines, Wan-Bissaka will certainly benefit.
Wan-Bissaka’s Defensive Output is World Class
The troubles that Wan-Bissaka does face going forward are not so important due to his incredible defensive output. He is arguably the best one-on-one defender in Europe. With his long legs, Wan Bissaka averages 3.8 tackles and two interceptions per game. Against Manchester City last Sunday, the right-back ‘pocketed’ Raheem Sterling for the second time in the league this season, as he has too many other left-wingers this campaign.
The fact that Wan-Bissaka can shut down his flank on his own is great. This means that a new right-winger could rely on the defender and limit their defensive contributions while increasing their attacking output due to being in higher positions when receiving the ball.
Wan-Bissaka Continues to Impress
The summer signing been one of Manchester United’s most consistent performers this season.
He is continuing to impress defensively and also going forward. This is no surprise as the right-back has been working on his attacking intent in training with Michael Carrick and Kieran McKenna. Against the Citizens, he completed four take-ons, which was the second-most in the game, behind Joao Cancelo with five. This shows that Wan-Bissaka is improving his game.
In all, yes Aaron Wan-Bissaka has deficiencies in attack, but he also has strengths and has clearly been improving those areas which he needs to. He offers defensive stability from the right and has had a great first season at Manchester United.
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