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This article is part of Football FanCast’s Pundit View series, which provides opinion and analysis on recent quotes from journalists, pundits, players and managers…
According to The Evening Standard, Manchester United legend Denis Irwin has claimed Aaron Wan-Bissaka will add some much-needed pace to the side and that £50m for a full-back will become the “norm”.
What did he say?
The most expensive defender in United’s history, Wan-Bissaka’s move from Crystal Palace saw eyebrows raised over the price tag involved. The England U21 international had a fine campaign at Selhurst Park though, and Irwin has now suggested that United’s signing of the right-back was necessary.
He said: “He is very quick, a modern day full-back in the fact that he was a winger and has played very, very well in the 15 months that I have seen him at Crystal Palace in a defensive role.
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“There is a lot more pressure on him now, but hopefully he will be able to handle that. We needed a bit of pace and youth in the team. You have got to ignore the fee. I think £50m for a full-back is going to become the norm.”
Whatever the cost
Having conceded 54 goals in the Premier League last season, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side were in dire need of a defensive rebuild this summer. Signing Wan-Bissaka from Premier League rivals Palace bought them a player who could quite conceivably enjoy a decade of first-team service at Old Trafford and become a regular fixture in the senior side for England.
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On the rare occasion United looked like the team of old last season, they were electric, quick and devastating on the break. The performances against Tottenham and Arsenal were certainly glimpses that there was something there to work on. Bringing in Wan-Bissaka not only adds to the side’s defensive solidity, but as Irwin alludes to, brings in some much-needed pace.
The inflated transfer market means that prices are quite simply at a point where they don’t make footballing sense. Comparing how Cristiano Ronaldo cost just £80m a decade ago to Wan-Bissaka costing £50m in 2019 is supremely illogical. The increased premium on trying to sign British players certainly hasn’t helped United, but if the 21-year-old can give the Red Devils years of excellent service, then it could be money well spent.
