In the second half of the Carabao Cup final, Erik ten Hag gave Aaron Wan-Bissaka specific instructions as his team held a two-goal advantage.
Even if Diogo Dalot gave it his all, there is only one person who can stop Allan Saint-Maximin of Newcastle, one of the most dangerous opponents’ wingers.
That Wan-Bissaka is now regarded with such fondness is a testament to both his exceptional defensive skills and the constantly changing world of football.
The 25-year-old was acquired by the Red Devils from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2019 for an initial amount of £45 million, and during a time when United was in turmoil, he served as a focal point for criticism. At a team the magnitude of Manchester United, the focus is so great that when Wan-Bissaka changed jerseys, he virtually turned into a bad player.
He had a breakout season the year before, playing 35 times in the Premier League for Roy Hodgson’s team as they finished 12th. The athletic defender scored three goals himself as well, gaining selections for the England U21 team.