‘Wan-Bissaka can’t defend’ – Pundit digs out Man Utd star

Joe Williams
Aaron Wan-Bissaka Man Utd
Aaron Wan-Bissaka Man Utd

Man Utd right-back Aaron Wan-Bissaka “can’t defend”, according to Queens Park Rangers striker Charlie Austin.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is looking to bring in a new right-back this summer to provide Wan-Bissaka with some quality competition.

Atletico Madrid defender Kieran Trippier has been heavily linked with a transfer to Old Trafford – but Man Utd will have to sell before they can buy this summer after agreeing deals for Jadon Sancho and Raphael Varane.


Varane signing is proof of one key change at Man United


Wan-Bissaka has often been criticised for not giving Man Utd enough attacking threat going forward but his defensive work has generally been praised.

However, QPR striker Austin thinks right-back is their biggest problem position if they want to win the Premier League this season, claiming Wan-Bissaka “can’t defend”.

Austin told talkSPORT: “Although Manchester United have signed [Raphael] Varane, their biggest problem is they need a right-back.

“Aaron Wan-Bissaka is not up to the [required] quality. We played them the other day, and I know it was only a pre-season, but they need to go all out for Kieran Trippier.

“That’s who they’re crying out for. Aaron Wan-Bissaka can’t defend!

“And his final ball is not what a centre-forward wants, it’s not what [Edinson] Cavani wants, it’s not what [Marcus] Rashford wants. They need to sign Kieran Trippier.”

When asked by former Arsenal midfielder Ray Parlour whether he had formed his opinion from one bad game against QPR, Austin added: “You can always have a bad game, it was just a pre-season friendly.

“With all due respect, if Aaron Wan-Bissaka is your right-back, are Man United going to win Premier Leagues and silverware? I’m not too sure.

“They need to strengthen there, definitely.”

Wan-Bissaka swapped Crystal Palace for Old Trafford in the summer of 2019 and he revealed recently how it felt to join one of the world’s biggest clubs.

He told the Players’ Tribune: “The first thing you notice at Manchester United is how big everything is.

“I remember when I went up to sign the contract at the training ground in the summer of 2019, we just kept driving past farms and woodlands, like middle of nowhere. I’m thinking like, ‘Where are we? What is this?’

“Then suddenly there it was and I ain’t seen anything like it before … the pitches, the buildings, the size of everything. It’s on another level. Everywhere you go you see the club’s history, with pictures and references to players, trophies, success from before.

“It’s massive. The biggest club in the world. It didn’t kick in at first. I’d only made my Palace debut not that long ago.

“I’m not gonna lie, I was nervous about the move. Was I ready? I felt like I had unfinished business at Palace, that they could still help develop me, before I moved on. I had always planned on staying longer.

“After being so eager to break into the first team, this felt like such a jump to a new life away from home, away from my parents and my family. But … it’s Manchester United.

“These offers don’t come around every day, you know what I’m saying? If you say no, you might never get another chance. United tend to sign players for the long haul. They might not need another right-back for a long time.”