Wan-Bissaka edges nearer exit as Man Utd ‘increase’ interest in ex-Atletico Madrid right-back

Lewis Oldham
Wan-Bissaka down the pecking order

Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be edging nearer leaving Man Utd as Erik ten Hag’s side are reportedly ‘increasing’ their interest in signing Santiago Arias.

Ten Hag has been quick to put his stamp on Man Utd after replacing Ralf Rangnick during the summer.

Wan-Bissaka has been impacted by this more than most as the defender has found himself down the pecking order at the start of this campaign.


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The full-back has only made one brief cameo appearance in the Premier League as Diogo Dalot has been preferred by Ten Hag.

Wan-Bissaka was expected to leave United during the summer as Crystal Palace and West Ham were interested.

United did not let him leave in the end though as they were unable to secure a replacement. They were linked with Sergino Dest before the deadline but the ex-Barcelona man joined AC Milan.

Ex-Palace star Wan-Bissaka has struggled in recent years after joining Man Utd for £50m.

His talents as a defender have not been questioned but his deficiencies going forward have been exposed.

Ex-Man Utd player Paul Parker does not think Wan-Bussaka has “been taught to play as a full-back”:

“I would say Wan-Bissaka hasn’t really been taught how to play as a full-back for Manchester United. No one has really talked to him. He hasn’t been coached,” Parker told MyBettingSites.

“But, it is about what he is learning. How is he going to change his game to improve as a full-back as Wan-Bissaka for Manchester United?

“As a full-back for Crystal Palace, when you play for Manchester United, it is a different kind of full-back.”

On Dalot, Parker added: “He has proven himself. His all-around game has improved defensively. He is grabbing it. He is grabbing everything. He is kind of high-fiving people every time they make a challenge.

“Now, he knows that he is number one at the moment. Mostly every time he has played in Manchester United, he may have felt very insecure if he would also play the next match.”

Wan-Bissaka could well be offered a fresh escape route though as Man Utd are now reportedly looking to sign Arias.

The Columbian international spent five years in the Eredivisie with PSV between 2013 and 2018. Ten Hag saw a lot of Arias during this spell as the defender played 172 times for the Dutch outfit.

The 30-year-old is now without a club as he left Atletico Madrid in June following the culmination of his contract.

Colombia’s Antena 2 (via Sport Witness) are reporting that the chances of Man Utd signing Arias are ‘increasing more and more’.

It is stated that Arias’ time at PSV ‘weighs heavily’ on Ten Hag. He has struggled with injuries in recent years but he is looking to ‘resolve his future as soon as possible’.