Manchester United’s Right-Back Battle Is Close Says Erik Ten Hag

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has admitted the battle for the right-back position in his side remains very close between Diogo Dalot and Aaron Wan-Bissaka.

Dalot began the season as Ten Hag’s first choice and played 20 consecutive games in the position, while Wan-Bissaka almost disappeared from view and was given only four minutes of action before the World Cup.

The former Crystal Palace defender was all set to be sold in the January transfer window, but after Dalot sustained an injury at the tournament in Qatar he was given an unexpected opportunity.

In the first three months of this year Wan-Bissaka staged an impressive comeback and regained some of Ten Hag’s trust with a series of exceptional performances.

The United’s manager dilemma was symbolised in the Carabao Cup final against Newcastle at the end of February when he started Dalot, but then substituted him at half-time for Wan-Bissaka.

In the second half Wan-Bissaka was arguably United’s best player, making a string of brilliant tackles to thwart Newcastle and help secure a 2-0 win.

Ahead of United’s game against Brentford at Old Trafford on Wednesday, Dalot had made a total of 33 appearances this season, while Wan-Bissaka was on 22 appearances.

“I think it’s really close, the competition between them,” said Ten Hag. “So maybe Aaron gives you a little bit more defending, Diogo gives you maybe a little bit more offence.”

“But I have to say I think they both have made progress in both areas so it’s really close. Then you look at the opponent, you look at the load on the players and you have to manage that when you have two almost-equal players. The form they are in is also an issue and then, of course, how is the team? How are they doing in the moment? So then you make your decisions.”

On the other side of the United defence, Ten Hag was delighted to confirm that left-back Luke Shaw had signed a new four year contract at the club on Tuesday.

“He’s doing really well this season, I’m really happy with him. I think he is a modern left full-back but can also play in other positions like left centre-back, so he matches absolutely the standards we want to have. So it’s a very good message.”

Wan-Bissaka missed Sunday’s 2-0 defeat to Newcastle in the Premier League with an illness, but is available for the game against Brentford having returned to training on Tuesday.

However, Christian Eriksen is not ready to return from his ankle injury as soon as this week. “Not for tomorrow but he is returning on the pitch,” said Ten Hag. “He is returning to team training today so we have to see how quick he can now make the progress.”

“These are two quality players and you know the midfield department… games will be decided always in the midfield,” Ten Hag said when asked how much he had missed Eriksen and the suspended Casemiro, who is in the middle of a 4-game ban.

“When you miss two quality players it is clear, but you have a squad and when you don’t have them, you still have to win.”

The visit of Brentford to Old Trafford gives Ten Hag’s side a chance to bounce back from their defeat to Newcastle last weekend.

“We had a very bad performance because the opponent wanted it more than we did,” said Ten Hag. “They were sharper and you could see that in the challenges. We won only 16 from 61 challenges in offence and in defence, the opponent beats us 48 from 78 challenges.”

United have failed to win or score in their last three Premier League games, but Ten Hag has said he is not concerned.

“We played 60 minutes against Southampton with 10 men. We beat Fulham in the FA Cup, it’s a Premier League opponent. We beat Newcastle in the Carabao Cup, it’s a Premier League opponent, so there is no concern. We know we can beat Premier League teams.”