Quite a few credible journalists with access to the club are saying we're looking to renew Wan-Bissaka's contract, which currently runs until summer 2024, with the option to extend for another year.
Have to say I didn't see this coming. Despite his outstanding one v one defending ability and willingness to get forward, in my eyes there are numerous deficiencies in his game: defensive positioning and awareness; limited passing ability in build-up; poor delivery when getting into promising attacking positions; awful ball striking when he has shooting opportunities; his dribbling is better than it appears thanks to ability to poke out a long leg and wriggle out of trouble, but he's no Marcelo.
I think we all agree that right back is a position that needs an upgrade. My expectation was that AWB would be sold and Dalot would become the back-up option. Not just because I think Dalot is overall the better player (a minority view, as was made plain recently!) but because Dalot is surely stylistically closer to the elite RB we want, and while a drop in quality is inevitable when you bring in the understudy, you ideally don't want to change the game plan because he has an altogether different profile.
But maybe ETH sees real value in having a Plan B right back who can lock down the attacking threat of a dangerous left wing. Maybe he sees AWB unlocking capabilities that haven't been obvious to us so far. Whatever it is, and whether or not we fully understand the reasons for the renewal, I think we have to respect the player for his response to being benched for months. It would have been easy to sulk and prepare for a move. He worked hard, took his chance, and played the best football of his United career once he got the opportunity to play.
What do you all reckon? What's the club's thought process here?
Wan-Bissaka renewal
posted on 9/8/23
Fox, yes, I'm conscious that ETH's football brain is far better than mine, so I hope my OP came across more as curious about what the plan is than suggesting I'm right and he's wrong.
posted on 9/8/23
His contract must be close to expiring and he’s still relatively young so I suspect we may be just protecting his fee.
I’ve criticised the club for doing this in the past but AWB isn’t a crock like some of the players we’ve handed new deals.
posted on 9/8/23
What's the club's thought process here?
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To play devil's advocate, I would say that even if AWB isn't an ideal fit for us, his skillset would make him quite valuable for mid-table PL teams, and i imagine we would recoup a fair bit for him if we do decide to let him go. If we're keeping him on this season it doesn't make much financial sense to let his contract run down.
posted on 9/8/23
Worth remembering that question marks still remain over Malacia, and Dalot can play LB, meaning that even retaining both Dalot and AWB doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility of signing an upgrade at RB next summer.
That said, AWB has such a unique skillset that I can imagine ETH is reluctant to lose it from his squad. He's also, imo, been our best performer all preseason and shown clear improvements in his game and form since getting back into the team on a more consistent basis.
posted on 9/8/23
Surprised but at the same time we probably need to keep one of our 2 RBs. He is home grown and better defensively so maybe a good alternative back up to the ideal RB we need.
It's frustrating that we don't seem to be in the market for a RB this summer as I think it could make a big difference to our play.
posted on 9/8/23
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 2 minutes ago
Worth remembering that question marks still remain over Malacia, and Dalot can play LB, meaning that even retaining both Dalot and AWB doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility of signing an upgrade at RB next summer.
That said, AWB has such a unique skillset that I can imagine ETH is reluctant to lose it from his squad. He's also, imo, been our best performer all preseason and shown clear improvements in his game and form since getting back into the team on a more consistent basis.
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Is there a question mark over Malencia? I thought it was known he's poverty.
posted on 9/8/23
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 2 minutes ago
Worth remembering that question marks still remain over Malacia, and Dalot can play LB, meaning that even retaining both Dalot and AWB doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility of signing an upgrade at RB next summer.
That said, AWB has such a unique skillset that I can imagine ETH is reluctant to lose it from his squad. He's also, imo, been our best performer all preseason and shown clear improvements in his game and form since getting back into the team on a more consistent basis.
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Is there a question mark over Malencia? I thought it was known he's poverty.
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He’s young, it was his first season, getting used to a much better league and probably played more than the manager would have liked, great energy but still a lot to learn, I’ll judge him properly after this season
posted on 9/8/23
comment by Busby (U19985)
posted 4 minutes ago
comment by BerbaKing11 (U6256)
posted 2 minutes ago
Worth remembering that question marks still remain over Malacia, and Dalot can play LB, meaning that even retaining both Dalot and AWB doesn't necessarily exclude the possibility of signing an upgrade at RB next summer.
That said, AWB has such a unique skillset that I can imagine ETH is reluctant to lose it from his squad. He's also, imo, been our best performer all preseason and shown clear improvements in his game and form since getting back into the team on a more consistent basis.
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Is there a question mark over Malencia? I thought it was known he's poverty.
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"Poverty" is ridiculously harsh. He started his United career quite well. But to write off a young player in his first season in the PL is definitely hasty. His injury and lack of preseason won't help his case this season either mind.
posted on 9/8/23
comment by Melbourne Red (U5417)
posted 1 hour, 14 minutes ago
Strange that we’re going to renew the contracts of both right backs when we’ve been strongly linked to Frimpong.
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TBF Frimpong has stayed in Manchester before so that doesn't help.
posted on 9/8/23
comment by Melbourne Red (U5417)
posted 7 hours, 42 minutes ago
Strange that we’re going to renew the contracts of both right backs when we’ve been strongly linked to Frimpong.
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From what I’ve seen of Frimpong, I’d judge both AWB and Dalot to be better players, personally.