Ole Gunnar Solskjaer 'to try Aaron Wan-Bissaka at centre back'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer ‘is planning to try Aaron Wan-Bissaka as a CENTRE BACK in pre-season’, with Man United keen to sign Atletico Madrid’s Kieran Trippier

  • Wan-Bissaka is an out-and-out right back and has never played centrally before
  • But the 23-year-old star is an excellent defensive player and a superb tackler 
  • Solskjaer is keen to try him at centre half in pre-season to see if he can play there
  • The Red Devils have been linked with Atletico Madrid full back Kieran Trippier 
  • The club are reportedly still looking for a long-term partner for Harry Maguire

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will reportedly try Aaron Wan-Bissaka at centre back in pre-season in an attempt to solve Manchester United’s defensive question marks, amid interest in right back Kieran Trippier. 

Wan-Bissaka, traditionally an out-and-out right back, has never played centrally before but is an excellent defensive player and a fine tackler.

And according to the Sun, United boss Solskjaer is keen to try him in the middle of the defence to see if it would be a viable long-term option.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is reportedly keen to try Aaron Wan-Bissaka (shown left) at centre back

Wan-Bissaka has never played centrally but is an excellent defensive player and a fine tackler

The 23-year-old could be tried next to another centre back – probably captain Harry Maguire – in a back four, or might be used on the right side of a three, as Reece James and Kyle Walker do at Chelsea and Manchester City respectively.

If Wan-Bissaka proves a success there, it would make the Red Devils defence more adaptable and flexible, and able to swap between different systems during matches.

United are thought to be interested in signing Atletico Madrid full back Trippier to provide cover and competition for Wan-Bissaka, who has played 100 matches in the last two seasons.

Solskjaer is understood to want to try Wan-Bissaka in the middle of defence during pre-season

The former Tottenham star can play as a full-back or wing-back on both sides and would provide another versatile option, with current back-ups Diogo Dalot and Brandon Williams not considered viable first-team regulars. 

Wan-Bissaka, who signed from Crystal Palace for £50million in 2019, has impressed at Old Trafford and is widely seen as one of the best defensive right-backs in the Premier League, but missed out on Gareth Southgate’s Euro 2020 England squad.

Southgate picked James, Walker, Trippier and Liverpool star Trent Alexander-Arnold ahead of him, although Alexander-Arnold has since withdrawn from the tournament with an injury.

He could line up alongside club captain Harry Maguire at the heart of the defence next season

According to Reds icon John Barnes, three-cap England U21 international Wan-Bissaka, who could pledge his allegiance to the Democratic Republic of Congo, should have made the squad.

He said: ‘Look at Aaron Wan-Bissaka – he is our best right back by far in this country. But because he is not as good on the ball as the others, he got unfairly overlooked.

‘Everyone is clamouring for attacking right backs, but does not pay enough respect to out-and-out defenders. It doesn’t matter if Southgate plays four or five at the back, if you don’t have players who can defend properly, it is immaterial.’




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