Erik ten Hag is enduring somewhat of a crisis at left-back this season, with Tyrell Malacia and Luke Shaw both out injured with long-term injuries.
Malacia missed all of pre-season and Shaw sustained his injury just two weeks into the season, which meant that United resorted to the market to sign a last-minute replacement in Sergio Reguilon.
Ten Hag is not short of options at right-back, however, with Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka continuing to go head-to-head for the first-choice position.
Dalot was Ten Hag’s preferred option for the first half of last season but a mid-season injury meant that Wan-Bissaka was given the chance to shine and he certainly took that opportunity with both hands.
Since then, he has pushed Dalot back to the bench and he’s now Ten Hag’s go-to man. Interestingly, the surprising turnaround came after Wan-Bissaka had made just one appearance under Ten Hag.
After looking likely to be axed by United, it is now looking like he may commit his future to the club by extending his contract. At least that’s where things are heading according to journalist and transfer specialist Fabrizio Romano.
“The conversations between Man Utd and Wan-Bissaka’s camp over a new deal are ongoing,” Romano said on his YouTube channel, according to TeamTalk.
“The agreement over a new contract is not done yet, but the conversation is on. It’s a possibility for Man Utd and Wan-Bissaka to continue together and extend the contract.”
Wan-Bissaka has one season remaining on his current deal but as with almost all new recruits at United, the Reds hold the option of extending his contract for an additional season.
United exercised their option to do so with a number of players halfway through last season, with Shaw, Marcus Rashford, Fred and Dalot among those to have their deals extended.
Shaw, Rashford and Dalot would all sign long-term contracts shortly after their one-year extensions were made and we could see similar developments with Wan-Bissaka.