Manchester United news: The numbers that show why Aaron Wan-Bissaka is proving the most sensible signing

Harry Maguire and Daniel James have taken the plaudits to enable Wan-Bissaka to go under the radar and become the solution to one ot United’s big problem positions

Much of the attention before last weekend’s win over Chelsea surrounded Harry Maguire. After the game, Daniel James’ goal-scoring cameo as a substitute dominated the headlines. But all the while, Manchester United’s other summer signing has quietly and competently slotted in as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s right-back with minimal fuss.

Although understandably frustrated to only take a point from Molineux on Monday night, Solskjaer will also be pleased to see Aaron Wan-Bissaka enjoy another solid outing, adding to his impressive Old Trafford debut eight days earlier. Though early days in his United career, the defence already looks that little bit more reliable with him and Maguire in it.

But whereas the victory over Chelsea invited an outpouring of admiration for Maguire, this was Wan-Bissaka’s night. His total of nine tackles was at least three times the number of any other player at Molineux. It was, in fact, the most that any player has managed in a single game over the course of the Premier League’s opening two weekends.

Wan-Bissaka could easily have been in for a difficult evening in the Black Country. His position behind James, an inexperienced winger who was keen to impress going forward, was not advantageous. Nor was Wolves’ set-up, with Jonny at left wing-back and the boisterous Diogo Jota moving wide in support, but he kept both very quiet.

His defensive ability is already well established, though. If anything was questioned upon his arrival from Crystal Palace, it was his ability to contribute further up the field, and Solskjaer will be encouraged by initial signs of progress there too. Wan-Bissaka completed more passes into the final third (36) than all of his United team-mates - almost twice the number of the next best, Luke Shaw.

His close-control dribbling will be key to any significant improvement in attack and at Molineux, only Anthony Martial carried the ball forward more often than the youngster. 115 touches - again, the most of any player on the pitch - suggests no hesitancy on his part to get on the ball and be involved. Unsurprisingly, all these things and more earned Wan-Bissaka United’s official man-of-the-match award.

Right-back has been a problem position for United for two seasons now, at the very least. Whether the issue stretches back any further depends on your opinion of Antonio Valencia as a naturalised full-back. Rafael had a lot of admirable qualities too, but there is an argument to say that United’s last dependable player in the position has been sitting in the Sky Sports studio for the past eight years.

Gary Neville is practically the template of the full-back that Solskjaer wants in his team: a player comfortable advancing up the pitch and contributing to counter-attacks, but one who can be trusted to consistently do the basic stuff well. And while £45m may sound like a lot for such a player, that is the going rate for young defensive talent in what is increasingly becoming one of the most important positions in any team.

Wan-Bissaka is a quiet and unassuming personality around Carrington, but one who is quickly gaining a reputation for getting the job done. By securing him on a long-term, five-year contract, United hope they can now forget about buying another right-back for a decade or more. It remains far too early to describe any one of Maguire, James or Wan-Bissaka as a success, but watching the young full-back from Croydon on Monday night, you were reminded why United place such faith in his ability.