Aaron Wan-Bissaka could be about to frustrate Man Utd fans even more after £15m exit

West Ham full-back is another ex-Old Trafford player flourishing away from Manchester and could finally win his first senior England cap if the new national boss has taken notice of his form

Early in the 2019/20 season, Ed Woodward – the Manchester United executive vice-chairman – invited a handful of journalists to Old Trafford for a briefing.

Woodward was a little perturbed by the perception that United’s recruitment department was not, in the absence of a technical/sporting director, fully fit for purpose. He was keen to stress the professionalism of the club’s transfer operation and, as an example, talked us through the process that led to the £50million signing of Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Crystal Palace.

Apparently, United’s talent-identification experts started with a database of EIGHT HUNDRED AND FOUR potential right-back signings before whittling down that number in several stages and finally arriving at their number one target.

And ironically, as Wan-Bissaka had fluctuating fortunes at the club – caused, to some extent, by injury and illness – a signing that Woodward said symbolised their thoroughness was one of the many used as evidence of United’s severe recruitment shortcomings. Right now, Wan-Bissaka remains the answer to a very decent footballing trivia question.

Who is the most expensive English signing not to win an England senior cap? Yep, it is 27-year-old Wan-Bissaka. But that might well be about to change.

Wan-Bissaka’s form on the right flank for West Ham United should not only have caught the eye of Manchester United fans who are accustomed to seeing ex-players flourish away from Old Trafford, it has surely captured the attention of Thomas Tuchel, the new England coach.

The German names his first squad in a fortnight’s time – for the World Cup qualifiers against Albania and Latvia – and will be mulling over which right-sided defenders to include.

Kyle Walker has been struggling with a muscular injury at Milan, Reece James has had his physical problems and Kieran Trippier has retired from international football. Trent Alexander-Arnold will be an automatic choice but Tuchel has other options.

And, now under Graham Potter, Wan-Bissaka’s form as a wing-back this season should make him a strong contender for England selection. Wan-Bissaka has made 26 Premier League starts this season, scoring twice and assisting twice.

Although Thursday’s 2-0 victory over Leicester City means they have now won two on the spin, it has been a largely disappointing season for the Hammers but Wan-Bissaka – who was called up to the England senior squad in 2019 before having to withdraw with a back injury – has been one of the few shining lights.

And if Tuchel does decide to give him a very belated first England cap, it will, no doubt, further frustrate Manchester United fans. Wan-Bissaka, who has long been linked with an international switch to DR Congo, looks like just the sort of high-energy wing-back that would fit perfectly into Ruben Amorim’s system yet, last summer, Manchester United sold him to the Hammers for £15million.

West Ham’s recruitment executives have not overly distinguished themselves in recent times but Wan-Bissaka looks like one of the signings of 2024. And having been a quiz question for some considerable time, Wan-Bissaka might just be an answer for Thomas Tuchel.

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