19 January 2023 , 09:34
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Wilfried Zaha's high praise of Aaron Wan-Bissaka speaks volumes of the Manchester United' s star resurgence since the World Cup.
The right-back made just one appearance in all competitions before the break for that tournament as he struggled with injury and the form of Diogo Dalot. Since United's return though, he has made seven successive starts, with the Red Devils going unbeaten in that run.
One of his most important moments since his return came on Wednesday night, during United's draw at Crystal Palace. A Bruno Fernandes goal just before half-time put the visitors in front before Michael Olise equalised in the first minute of injury time.
Just moments later, Wan-Bissaka was forced to pull off a miracle tackle to protect a point for his side after Zaha had burst into the box. The Palace winger had sprinted away from his marker before being played through.
But Wan-Bissaka was able to sprint back, get Zaha off balance as he took his first shot and then put in a magnificent sliding tackle to prevent a goal. United keeper David de Gea collected the ball, with Wan-Bissaka having been the only defender to get back in time.
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Zaha was left astonishing by his former team-mate, hailing him as the only player who could have tackled him. The Palace star admitted to feeling a sense of dread when he realised it was Wan-Bissaka who was chasing him down.
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Zaha had burst into the box with the game in its dying moments (beIN Sports)"Any other player..." Zaha told Sky Sports. "As I’m running through, I had a little look back and I thought ‘oh my God…it’s Aaron’. He’s the only one that can do a scoop tackle. So it was a great tackle.
"We know we’ve got the talent and the team. And one thing that the gaffer’s piped on about is just contesting the games and the talent just shows through in the end – like today, we managed to get a point.
"That was the difference today – just never-say-die attitude and every 50-50 going in at 100 per cent. We got what we deserved. We might have even won at the end. That performance today, the fans deserved that.
But Wan-Bissaka managed to get back and put in a magnificent sliding tackle (beIN Sports)"I’m buzzing with the lads really, like we all worked so hard today. Obviously we’re happy with the point and it just gives us confidence going into the next games."
Zaha's reaction to Wan-Bissaka's important tackle only adds to the feeling that he has been able to resurrect his United career. Boss Erik ten Hag has also insisted that the full-back is on the right track.
"I like these problems. He is doing really well, Aaron, in the last few games. Defending really consistently," the United boss told MUTV earlier this month.
"He is also reliable in offence. He has a part in it, he contributes well. It's a nice fight in the squad but also, we have a lot of games to cover, so we need them all."