Rio Ferdinand has hailed Aaron Wan-Bissaka’s display after the Manchester United defender ‘put the shackles’ on Mitoma in the FA Cup semi-final.
The Red Devils booked their place in June’s FA Cup final after seeing off Brighton in a penalty shoot-out victory at Wembley.
Mitoma has enjoyed a superb season since breaking into the Brighton lineup under Roberto De Zerbi, scoring 10 and providing seven assists in 31 games this campaign.
The Japan international has given some of the best full-backs in the Premier League tough time this term but had little joy up against Wan-Bissaka on Sunday.
The former Crystal Palace star made some key tackles on Mitoma throughout the game with Ferdinand saying the performance showed ‘he is good as anyone’ in one-on-one defending.
‘I think Wan-Bissaka for me [was the stand-out player],’ Ferdinand told FIVE. ‘Mitoma has been the find of the season for me, he has given every team they have played against huge problems.
‘And to be fair to Wan-Bissaka, he put the shackles on him. And we all know how good defensively one vs one Wan-Bissaka is and today he proved again he can handle top class players in good form. When it is me against you, he is as good as anyone out there.’
Wan-Bissaka began the season out-of-favour under ten Hag in addition to having injury and illness issues.
Wan-Bissaka’s current contract expires in the summer of 2024 with an option to extend that by another year, with the right-back eager to extend his stay.
‘It has been my intention to stay but during that period (out of the team) my aim was just to play, everyone loves playing and it makes me happy,’ Wan-Bissaka told the Daily Telegraph.
‘During that time I would do anything to play again. ‘I am happy here, I have been happy since I’ve joined and that is what I worked for and what I continue to work for.’
