Just a thought but could be be an option at LB for when Shaw plays CB/is rested? With many wide players cutting in now they'd be cutting in against his stronger right foot.

Also, perhaps the club don't see a viable RB available this Summer so are tying AWB down to a contract to keep his value high (I know, I know) but with wages not so high that he'd be difficult to sell.

It could also be that Ten Hag wants to be seen to reward a player who, like you state, has kept his head down and won back a place when all seemed lost for him really.

Finally (!) it could be that Ten Hag sees him as our starting right back for years to come!

I think AWB would be a great squad option for the foreseeable future, if we can sign an attack minded RB who decent output.

Ship Dalot and then we’d have decent RB options. It’s been an issue for us.

Also, we still have an attacking line suited to the counter attack, probably will for the foreseeable with the likes of Hoijlund, Rashford, Garnacho. That means against the likes of a City AWB as an option can be a real asset.

Strange that we’re going to renew the contracts of both right backs when we’ve been strongly linked to Frimpong.

Dalot will be the one to go, probably next summer with an attacking rb coming in.

Would imagine he’d be easier to sell abroad too, AWB would be expensive for someone in England and probably less likely to want to go abroad.

Dalot isn’t good enough at the things he’s supposed to be better than AWB at, that’s what it comes down to for me. So he’s less useful in the squad long term.

I like AWB a lot and he's got a useful skill set for certain situations and games. Ten Hag likes to have a full back come in and form a back 3 and it may be that Zhe can help do this in some games, allowing Martinez to move higher up and have more chances to play those line breaking passes.

As a squad option it's fiat enough to accept that he has some weaknesses. I'm at a stage where I will trust Ten Hag's judgement on these sorts of things more than my own. He sees a great deal more than I do and is better qualified to interpret the things we both see. Until he gets multiple things wrong, I'll trust his judgement which is been pretty spot on so far in my book.

I’d rather see Dalot leave, he gets skinned for fun

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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.

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.

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.