Erik ten Hag dropped a hint that Manchester United's transfer plans have changed by insisting that Aaron Wan-Bissaka still has a future at Old Trafford.
Wan-Bissaka, 25, has been heavily linked with a move away from the club in recent months after struggling to live up to expectations since his £50million switch from Crystal Palace back in 2019. Wan-Bissaka has slipped down the United pecking order and had played just four minutes this term prior to Wednesday night's win over Burnley in the EFL Cup.
The full-back impressed against the Championship leaders, though, and managed to bag an assist by teeing up Christian Eriksen to break the deadlock in the 2-0 victory.
Recent reports have claimed that Ten Hag was keen to bring in a new right-back to compete with first-choice Diogo Dalot. Wan-Bissaka has been tipped to exit Old Trafford, and has been linked with the likes of West Ham and Wolves.
But Ten Hag appeared to offer Wan-Bissaka an olive branch after the win against Burnley. The Dutchman insisted that he was not looking to offload the defender and that fitness issues have been the reason behind his dearth of minutes this term.
Ten Hag said: "Aaron Wan-Bissaka, it is clear he has a future [here]. He’s had some good years with United, but from the start of this season he had a lot of illnesses and injuries, and so was running behind. His fitness levels are getting better, his performance levels are getting better.
"When you get an assist, especially the way he got that assist with his movement and the right moment, the timing and then great pass of course from Bruno [Fernandes]. But this is great and so I’m happy with his performance. He did good.”
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Wan-Bissaka could even be set for an extended run in the team after Ten Hag confirmed that Dalot missed the win over Burnley due to an injury he sustained in Portugal's World Cup quarter-final defeat to Mexico.
The right-back's volleyed assist for Eriksen's opener caught the eye, and it also earned Wan-Bissaka praise from somebody who knows a thing or two about playing as a right-back for Manchester United.
Former Old Trafford favourite Gary Neville branded Wan-Bissaka's assist as "absolutely brilliant" but bemoaned the fact that the former Palace man hasn't shown that type of endeavour and quality in the final third enough during his United career.
“He is pretty solid defensively," Neville told Sky Sports while analysing Wan-Bissaka's performance. "But a lot is expected of a modern full-back. We often say that he’s not good enough with the ball. I agree with that, but that assist was absolutely brilliant.”
