Wan-Bissaka's Man Utd spell compounded by links back to Palace
Cameron Smith
- 28 Apr 2022 19:04 BST
- 3 min read
It's approaching three years since Aaron Wan-Bissaka's move to Manchester United, but his stock has arguably never been lower.
The defender was a reliable member of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting XI, but since Ralf Rangnick's arrival he hasn't featured much. In fact, Wan-Bissaka has played just six league games in 2022, which is a damning indictment for a player who cost over €50 million.
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Diogo Dalot, who had previously been frozen out and loaned to Milan, has been the preferred option at right-back, meaning minutes have been hard to come by for Wan-Bissaka.
He was previously getting calls from pundits and fans for an England cap, but those have disappeared over the past 18 months with Reece James and Trent Alexander-Arnold impressing while Wan-Bissaka has arguably declined.
A return to Crystal Palace?
The Man Utd defender is now further away from the England set-up than he's ever been and his drop in form has been proven by links with a return to Crystal Palace.
The Athletic have reported that the Eagles are considering making a move for their former star, in the knowledge that Wan-Bissaka is likely to be put up for sale by new Man Utd head coach Erik ten Hag.
The report does suggest a move would likely not be a permanent one but a loan deal instead, but it still highlights how Wan-Bissaka hasn't progressed in three years away from Selhurst Park.
A defensive powerhouse since his breakthrough into the Palace starting XI, Wan-Bissaka hasn't been able to adapt particularly well to a more ball-dominant side and with Ten Hag set to introduce that even more at Old Trafford, it's hard to see where the Englishman fits in.
His skillset is obvious and it could be well-utilised at Crystal Palace, but Man Utd have clearly identified his position as an upgradeable one with the likes of Sergino Dest being linked with a move.
Wan-Bissaka has more than enough use for a club to benefit greatly from his services, and while a return to Palace could spark a return to form, it would show how he's stood still for three seasons while his peers have progressed massively.
