Erik ten Hag chose to keep Aaron Wan-Bissaka after an intervention from the Manchester United board last summer, who persuaded the Dutchman that the player still had a future at Old Trafford.
Diogo Dalot has been first choice under Ten Hag this campaign and that much was clear during pre-season, when the Portuguese was regularly selected ahead of Wan-Bissaka.
The Englishman was signed for a fee of around £50million in 2019, when Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was insistent on signing the Crystal Palace defender.
But, while Wan-Bissaka’s one-on-one defensive ability is often heralded, his lack of attacking threat has been found wanting at the club.
Palace showed interest in re-signing Wan-Bissaka in the summer but they were only willing to pay around £10m, which would have represented a £40m loss for the Red devils.
Nevertheless, Ten Hag had been willing to let the player leave if that meant he could recruit another, with the Dutchman keen on Sergino Dest.
But Wan-Bissaka ended up staying at Old Trafford and the Athletic claim Ten Hag was persuaded to do so after an intervention from United board.
It’s reported that Ten Hag was informed of Wan-Bissaka’s capabilities and the feeling that he could improve in the attacking third under the Dutchman’s coaching.
It was also felt, given the club’s £220m outlay, that only so much business could be done last summer and Ten Hag would need to prioritise.
Wan-Bissaka is yet to play this season and he missed today’s training session at Carrington ahead of Thursday’s match against Sheriff.
However, Ten Hag has refused to reveal the nature of the defender’s injury but he’s not expected to play in Moldova, meaning another start for Dalot.
