Manchester United’s Wan-Bissaka Tops Two Premier League Charts

Manchester United’s Aaron Wan-Bissaka has been confirmed as the Premier League’s leading player in two different categories.

The 22-year-old has topped the charts for both tackles and blocks, after making more of both than any other player in the division.

The full-back made five tackles during the 2-0 victory over Leicester City which concluded our domestic campaign on Sunday, taking him to a whopping 129 for the season as a whole.

That ensured he finished one clear of the Foxes’ Wilfred Ndidi (128), who was the Premier League’s most-prolific tackler last term.

Wan-Bissaka, who signed from Crystal Palace last summer, also leads the way when it comes to blocks (according to football stats site FBREF.com), making 101 across the 38 games, which places him one ahead of Norwich City’s right-back Max Aarons.

Those personal accolades will be a source of great pride to the defender, who admitted earlier this year that one of his individual targets for 2019/20 was to emerge as England’s first-choice right-back.

When interviewed by the club’s official matchday programme, United Review, back in March, Wan-Bissaka explained that it was his ambition to overhaul Leicester’s Ricardo Pereira – who then led the way – before the season was done and dusted.

“I think I’m second at the moment,” said Aaron, “I’m happy with that for now, just to be right up there. But first place is the target by the end of the season!”

Wan-Bissaka’s debut year with the Reds could hardly have gone much better, with the Croydon-born lad instantly securing a regular first-team spot upon his arrival and quickly drawing huge acclaim for his relentless thirst for winning the ball.

In December, he was named Man of the Match following the 2-1 derby win away at Manchester City after making five tackles, four blocks and two interceptions, and almost completely nullifying the threat of Raheem Sterling.

As the season progressed, he also noticeably improved on his attacking contributions, delivering memorable Premier League assists for Marcus Rashford (Newcastle United), Anthony Martial (Chelsea, Sheffield United) and Mason Greenwood (Brighton).

In December, Sky Sports pundit Jamie Carragher described Wan-Bissaka as one of the world’s best pure defenders.

“I think he’s one of the best one-on-one defenders for a full-back in the world,” said the ex-Liverpool man. “I don’t think anybody would be able to get the better of him one vs one.”

Now Wan-Bissaka has the opportunity to finish the season by claiming his first piece of silverware with United, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s squad readjust their focus to the UEFA Europa League.