Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw were regulars under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but things may be changing with Man Utd’s new interim manager in charge and new roles for the club’s full-backs
Video Unavailable
Rangnick reflects on first win as Man Utd manager
Rio Ferdinand has suggested Manchester United defensive pair Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Luke Shaw face an uphill battle to regain their starting spots under interim manager Ralf Rangnick.
Wan-Bissaka was left on the bench by the German for his first game in charge against the right-back’s former club Crystal Palace, while Shaw has been out of action after suffering a concussion in November.
With the English duo missing, United started with Diogo Dalot and Alex Telles in the full-back positions as Fred’s late goal gave Rangnick victory in his first match in charge.
And Ferdinand has suggested both defenders shouldn’t expect to walk straight back into the starting line-up despite being regulars under previous manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Who should start at full-back in United’s next game? Have your say in the comments section
(
Image:
PA)
Both Shaw and Wan-Bissaka had started when fit under Solskjaer, playing 12 and 13 games respectively in the Premier League.
The pair played more than 30 games each last season as United finished second, but Ferdinand has warned that the new manager’s preferences could be bad news for two mainstays of the back four.
Rangnick and former caretaker manager Michael Carrick have both made changes after entering the dugout, and it will take time for him to settle on his best XI.
“I’ve got to be honest, Wan-Bissaka has got a hell of a job getting back in this team. The same for Luke Shaw,” Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel.
“They’ve both got one hell of a job. One thing this manager likes is full-backs who can actually play and get on the ball.
“As well as doing the other stuff like pressing, he wants output with the ball. That’s the weakest part of Wan-Bissaka’s game, there’s going to be a big fight for him to get back into this team.”
(
Image:
Getty Images)
Dalot praised the new manager after Sunday’s win, saying “It’s difficult to change and have an opinion in such a few days, but we’re going to have time to know him and he’s going to have time to know [us] as well for the next couple of weeks.
“There’s no secret that he’s a very good manager with very good ideas to play football. Hopefully, we can help them to give us the best that he can give as well and vice versa,” the Portugal defender added.
Dalot spent last season out on loan at AC Milan, and saw his opportunities limited after returning to Old Trafford, but has started the last two league games against Arsenal and Palace.
Telles has also spent time on the bench since his move from Porto in 2020, starting just eight Premier League matches, but may have a chance to stake his claim for a starting spot if Shaw is out for much longer.
Read More
Read More
