Farewell:
Transferred to West Ham United, 13/08/2024, 15m
Passed Away:
Biography
Aaron Wan-Bissaka was a powerful and exceptionally accomplished one-on-one defender who represented Manchester United between 2019 and 2024. Renowned for his recovery speed and precisely timed sliding tackles, the right-back made 190 competitive appearances for United, scoring two goals, and helped the club win both the League Cup and FA Cup.
Born in Croydon, London, on 26 November 1997, Wan-Bissaka grew up in New Addington and began playing football with Junior Elite FC. He joined Crystal Palace’s academy at the age of 11 after impressing during a trial.
Wan-Bissaka initially played as a winger and occasionally as an attacking midfielder. His conversion into a right-back came during a Crystal Palace training session when he was asked to mark Wilfried Zaha. His ability to compete with one of the Premier League’s most dangerous wingers persuaded Palace’s coaches that his future belonged in defence. He made his senior debut for Crystal Palace against Tottenham Hotspur on 25 February 2018. Despite Palace losing the match 1–0, Wan-Bissaka impressed and retained his place for much of the remainder of the campaign. He was subsequently named the club’s Young Player of the Year. The 2018/2019 season established him as one of England’s most promising defenders. Wan-Bissaka made 39 appearances in all competitions and was voted Crystal Palace’s Player of the Year. His tackling statistics, composure in defensive situations and performances against leading Premier League attackers attracted interest from several major clubs.
Manchester United signed Wan-Bissaka on 29 June 2019. The transfer was reportedly worth an initial £45 million, potentially rising to £50 million with additional payments. He became Ole Gunnar Solskjær’s second signing of the summer, following the arrival of Daniel James.
Wan-Bissaka made his competitive United debut on 11 August 2019 in a 4–0 Premier League victory over Chelsea at Old Trafford. He produced an assured display and immediately established himself as the club’s first-choice right-back.
During his first season, Wan-Bissaka made 46 appearances in all competitions. United finished third in the Premier League and reached the semi-finals of the FA Cup, League Cup and Europa League. He also led the Premier League for tackles made, reinforcing his reputation as one of the division’s finest defensive full-backs.
Supporters affectionately nicknamed him “The Spider” because of his long reach and ability to recover the ball with seemingly impossible tackles. Attackers frequently appeared to escape him, only for Wan-Bissaka to stretch out a leg and cleanly regain possession. His speed also allowed him to recover after United lost the ball further up the pitch.
Wan-Bissaka scored his first senior goal on 17 October 2020 during United’s 4–1 Premier League victory away to Newcastle United. Moving forward from right-back, he collected Marcus Rashford’s pass before striking the ball powerfully into the roof of the net. His second and final United goal arrived on 2 February 2021. Wan-Bissaka opened the scoring in a record-equalling 9–0 Premier League victory over Southampton at Old Trafford.
He made 54 appearances during the 2020/2021 season as United finished second in the Premier League and reached the Europa League final. Wan-Bissaka started the final against Villarreal in Gdańsk, which finished 1–1 after extra time. He was substituted shortly before the penalty shoot-out, which Villarreal won 11–10.
The arrival of Erik ten Hag in 2022 initially placed Wan-Bissaka’s United future in doubt. Diogo Dalot began the 2022/2023 season as the preferred right-back, while injuries further restricted Wan-Bissaka’s opportunities. However, he responded impressively and regained a regular position following the World Cup break. Wan-Bissaka played an important part in United’s successful 2022/2023 League Cup campaign. He came on at half-time in the final against Newcastle United at Wembley, replacing Dalot, and helped United protect their lead as goals from Casemiro and Marcus Rashford secured a 2–0 victory. It was Wan-Bissaka’s first major trophy as a Manchester United player. Later that season, he started the FA Cup final against Manchester City. United were beaten 2–1, but Wan-Bissaka had completed an impressive return to the team after appearing likely to leave the club only months earlier.
His final United season was interrupted by illness and injury, although his versatility became increasingly important. Wan-Bissaka was used on both sides of the defence and demonstrated his adaptability by deputising at left-back when required.
United endured a difficult 2023/2024 Premier League campaign but recovered to reach another FA Cup final against Manchester City. Wan-Bissaka started at right-back at Wembley and produced a disciplined defensive performance as United defeated the recently crowned league champions 2–1. First-half goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo delivered the trophy and gave Wan-Bissaka a memorable conclusion to his United career. The FA Cup final on 25 May 2024 proved to be his last competitive appearance for Manchester United. After five seasons at Old Trafford, he joined West Ham United on 13 August 2024 for a reported fee of approximately £15 million.
Wan-Bissaka quickly became a regular at West Ham and was voted the club’s Hammer of the Year following his first season. He had previously represented the Democratic Republic of the Congo at under-20 level before playing for England’s under-20 and under-21 teams. After receiving a senior England call-up without making an appearance, he subsequently chose to represent the Democratic Republic of the Congo at senior international level.
Although he was sometimes criticised for not offering the same attacking output as more offensively minded modern full-backs, Wan-Bissaka’s defensive qualities were rarely questioned. At his best, he was extraordinarily difficult to beat and produced numerous memorable performances against elite wingers.
His five years at Old Trafford brought 190 appearances, two goals and two major trophies. Starting the victorious 2024 FA Cup final ensured that Aaron Wan-Bissaka departed Manchester United with one of his finest performances and a winner’s medal.
Aaron Wan-Bissaka 18', Marcus Rashford 25', Jan Bednarek 34' (o.g.), Edinson Cavani 39', Anthony Martial 69', 90', Scott McTominay 71', Bruno Fernandes 87' (pen), Daniel James 90'+3
