On the eve of a large-scale match with Arsenal, Manchester United coach Eric ten Haga was asked about the recent revival of Aaron Van Bissaki.
The 25-year-old, who seemed destined to leave the club during the January transfer window, has become a noticeable change in form.
He managed only four minutes in the first half of the season, and the Dutch manager chose to play Diogo Dalot instead.
AWB Turnover
Quite a few clubs, such as former club Crystal Palace, Wolverhampton Wanderers and West Ham United, have been linked with a switch to defender.
But after the break at the World Cup, Van Bissaka changed. He made an acrobatic assist in his first start of the campaign against Burnley before impressing in the Manchester derby and against his former club.
Ten Hag on Aaron Wan-Bissaka: "He is picking up the coaching, he's making good progress from the start of the season to now. He was in a bad situation because he was not fit, a couple of injuries and illness and things changed during the break."
— UtdDistrict (@UtdDistrict) January 21, 2023
The manager said that the first half of the season was difficult for the defender due to minor injuries and several bouts of illness.
He believed the defender and said that he used the break to improve his fitness, took into account all the coach’s advice and is reaping the benefits.
“He is starting to coach and is making good progress from the beginning of the season to the present,” the United boss said during a pre—match press conference.
ETH praises AWB
“He had a bad situation because he was out of shape and had a lot of injuries, he had several illnesses in the first half of the season until November, but at halftime everything changed.
“He worked well in training camp and he had some good performances in games. I think he’s making good progress and against Crystal Palace he was one of our best players.”
In what could potentially have been a six-pointer against the league leaders, Ten Haga was asked if he thought the club was on the right track.
“Yes, I am quite convinced of this process. I think we are going in the right direction, but it also means that we need to improve a lot if you want to fight for high positions in the future, because the competition will be very tough.”
