Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
TRAIN & SHINE
Wan-bissaka has put in hours of extra work to turn himself into a Prem warrior and a Euros contender
Prem 2019-20
Prem 2019-20
AARON WAN-BISSAKA credits extra training sessions for turning him into one of the best defenders in the Premier League.
Wan-bissaka won the latest instalment of his personal duel with Raheem Sterling on Sunday, as Manchester United ran out 2-0 winners in the derby showdown at Old Trafford.
Sky pundit Jamie Carragher believes there is no one in the world better at defending oneon-one than Wan-bissaka, who joined from Crystal Palace for £50million last summer.
His impressive form has pushed the England Under-21 star’s claim for a first call-up to Gareth Southgate’s senior squad for this summer’s Euros.
The 22-year-old’s attacking play has improved in recent months and he admitted that was down to staying behind to put in extra hours with the coaching staff once full training is over.
“That process has been going in the right direction,” said Wan-bissaka.
“I’ve had help from the team and the coaches, showing me the way forward.
“I stay out after training to do extra sessions so that I keep improving all the time and I’m ready to play at my highest level every week.”
United are unbeaten in their last 10 games in all competitions, with their defence a key part of that impressive run, registering eight clean sheets and conceding just two goals.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side are able to switch between a back four and five with little disruption, with Wan-bissaka admitting their confidence has grown as a defensive unit.
“I’d say the partnerships between us have improved and we’ve been growing together,” he said.
“You can see it in the clean sheets. That’s always the main aim – to get the clean sheet then the team can get the win. I think it’s down to better communication. Sometimes the formation changes, so we’ve been getting used to both five at the back and four at the back, and the communication has helped.
“I don’t have a preference. The five at the back allows me to get forward more at times during the game.”
After their worst start to a league campaign for 30 years, United have progressed in recent weeks and are just three points off fourth place in the race for Champions League qualification. They are also into the last 16 of the Europa League, taking on Austrian side LASK away in the first leg of their tie tomorrow, as well as the FA Cup quarter-finals.
“I came to this club to win trophies and I know this team is capable of winning trophies,” Wan-bissaka told United Review.
“I think that will help a lot, getting our hands on the first trophy. It will boost our confidence and help us go on to the next one.”