Recently, Manchester United encountered one of their costly former players.
Prior to moving to West Ham this summer, Aaron Wan-Bissaka acknowledged that he “had no one apart from my PlayStation” and that he struggled with loneliness while at Manchester United.
In 2019, the 26-year-old right-back, who was formerly regarded as one of the finest in the Premier League, moved from Crystal Palace to Old Trafford for £45 million.
He only made 20 starts last season despite playing 100 games in his first two seasons and losing favor with managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag. Wan-Bissaka talked candidly to the Standard about his challenging transition to Manchester life, where his video game console served as one of his few solaces.
It wasn’t easy,” he added. quite challenging. It was my first time moving away from home, and I traveled [to Manchester] alone. My PlayStation was the only person up there.
He also discussed the difficulties of residing in a smaller city like Manchester, where “everyone’s aware of everything that’s happening.”
Wan-Bissaka felt so alone early in his time at United that he would return to London after practice, hang out with friends and family for a few hours, and then head back to Manchester that same evening.
“It became exhausting!” he clarified. “My actions weren’t the best course of action. I ultimately settled up there because I had to try.
Wan-Bissaka, who had only made his senior debut for Palace eighteen months before joining United, claimed he took the chance since it might have been a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity despite these difficulties.
Following ongoing rumors that he was leaving Manchester United, Wan-Bissaka has spoken out about the move, saying a unanimous decision was made. “I spoke to the club and they thought this opportunity was best for me,” Wan-Bissaka added.
They allowed me time to consider it. I didn’t at the time, but after discussing it with family and friends, we all agreed that it was the appropriate moment.
Wan-Bissaka is now at home in London and seems more relaxed. Despite West Ham’s struggles under manager Julen Lopetegui, he has played in eight of the team’s first ten Premier League games, which is encouraging.
Despite making 190 appearances and winning two titles during his time at United, he was never able to convince former England manager Gareth Southgate to give him a senior national cap.
