Aaron Wan-Bissaka can become a complete full back under the guidance of Solskjaer says his ex coach, Colin Omogbehin.
Manchester Evening News spoke exclusively with Colin Omogbehin, the coach who signed Wan-Bissaka when he was just seven-years-old.
The now Fulham coach revealed that the young English right-back did not always have a defensive career set out.
Manchester United signed Wan-Bissaka from fellow Premier League club, Crystal Palace, at the beginning of the 2019/20 season for a fee believed to be within the region of £50m, as per Sky Sports.
Wan-Bissaka has seen his impressive debut season with United bring some notable praise. Nicknamed ‘Spider’ for his spindly legs and ability to always get a tackle in, fans have be treated to some high level defensive displays. The most notable defensive masterclass coming against arch rivals, Manchester City.
After enduring such an impressive campaign, Wan-Bissaka is now often finding his name in the mix whenever there is a conversation about who’s the best in the world, in his position.
However, during an interview with Omogbehin, who first signed Wan-Bissaka to his London based Junior Elites club, playing at right back was not always his intended path.
Omogbehin said: “You would have put your house on him progressing as an attacking player and having a career in the game.”
The now ex coach explained that Wan-Bissaka started his footballing career as a centre forward, he was capable of scoring a lot of goals and went onto win many awards in his younger days. Wan-Bissaka was then moved to the right wing and eventually further back into a wide right defensive role.
“But instead he’s ended up being a fantastic right-back and with his one versus one defending. In terms of that, I’ve not seen a player like this for many years,” Omogbehin adds.
One of the very few criticisms in Wan-Bissaka’s game is that he is not effective enough offensively. The art of the attacking full-back has been around since the days of the world’s most successful footballer, Dani Alves. However, it has been the emergence of Premier League counter-part, Liverpool full-back, Trent Alexander-Arnold that has been a major source for comparison.
When asked about Wan-Bissaka’s modern day full-back capabilities, Omogbehin says: “I think Manchester United have been doing a fantastic job in getting that out of him. Before the virus you started to see him get a lot more in the final third, getting crosses in, going past people – something he can bring to the table.
“But ultimately he’s a defender and he’ll defend first. And he’s fantastic at that, he’s world class at one-v-one defending.”
Omogbehin goes onto have his say on what the future holds for his ex star: “I think he can be the complete full-back. The expectation from Manchester United full backs from the past is always to go and join in the final third when they’re attacking, so he will suit the style that Manchester United want and expect from their full-backs.”
“So yes over the next few years I think he can develop into the complete full-back.” Omogbehin concludes.
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