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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Richard Fay

Aaron Wan-Bissaka is giving Manchester United what they wanted

Erik ten Hag will reveal who he truly trusts when the team sheet for Manchester United's trip to Wolves is released tomorrow lunchtime.

United have recorded back-to-back home wins while keeping clean sheets in the two matches since the World Cup, but face an increasingly tougher test away at Molineux this weekend.

Julen Lopetegui made an immediate impact with his first match in charge away at Everton, and United will need to be sharp if they are to ground the managerial bounce that buoyed their opponents at Goodison Park.

Read next: Joao Felix can prove Dalot right again

The biggest decision comes with regard to Lisandro Martinez and whether he should be thrown straight back into the side following his triumphant World Cup return, which is certainly advised given he didn't feature in the final at all.

It isn't such a straightforward decision at right-back, though. Diogo Dalot is yet to return from the hamstring injury that curtailed his involvement with Portugal in Qatar and in his place, Aaron Wan-Bissaka has steadily impressed.

The 25-year-old remains firmly second choice in the pecking order and was deemed surplus to requirements last summer, but ahead of the January transfer window, he has sent a timely reminder of his untapped potential.

Wan-Bissaka has still been guilty of some shaky moments in wins over Burnley and Nottingham Forest though he also deserves credit for the effort he has put into trying to rectify his sorry situation.

In the early stages of both matches, the former Crystal Palace star was in continued dialogue with Ten Hag as he received in-game feedback on his positioning and words of encouragement to push forward with more confidence.

It paid off with a beautiful assist for the opener against Burnley, and he proved to be a decent attacking option across both matches when making further forays into the opposition's box.

But despite his recent form, few supporters would complain if Wan-Bissaka dropped out of the side for the returning Dalot this weekend, though the right-back would have a right to feel aggrieved given that he has done a decent job over the past week.

What is great to see, though, is that the £50million man is finally showing signs that he is a suitable replacement on the right side when required, something that they have been missing all season.

Dalot's form suffered slightly as a result of United's over-reliance on him in the run-up to the World Cup, and it was notable that when he was suspended for the trip to Fulham, Tyrell Malacia was chosen to fill in as a makeshift replacement.

Malacia was targeted from the start at Craven Cottage and was at fault for Fulham's equalising goal, something that once again raised the need for a more suitable option to be found.

Ten Hag had written Wan-Bissaka off as a viable option in the summer, and while he may still prefer to have a more natural attacking right-back in reserve, there is certainly merit in giving him until the end of the season before making a decision on his future.

Even if he isn't the long-term solution they need, United's second-choice right-back has already given them what they wanted by reminding suitors of the obvious talent he still has at his disposal.

In the very worst case, the past week has been a timely advertisement for his ability, and is sure to work in United's favour when trying to recoup as much money as possible in transfer negotiations going forward.

Much tougher tests lie ahead that will provide a truer reflection of Wan-Bissaka's suitability for this side, and the next could well come tomorrow.

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