Manchester United star Aaron Wan-Bissaka is prepared to 'fight for his place' after starting the season on the periphery at Old Trafford, according to journalist Pete O'Rourke.
The Red Devils have recovered from a poor start to the campaign, which included a 4-0 thumping at the hands of Brentford, and recorded four Premier League wins in succession.
GiveMeSport The Verdict
What's the latest news involving Wan-Bissaka?
According to The Athletic, Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag was keen to sign Sergino Dest from Barcelona during the summer transfer window and, as a result, was willing to offload Wan-Bissaka for a cut-price fee.
However, the report suggests ten Hag made a U-turn on his decision after Red Devils football director John Murtough told him to reconsider and, as a result, Dest joined AC Milan.
It is understood that Manchester United rejected an approach from Premier League rivals West Ham United as they looked to attract Wan-Bissaka to the London Stadium just hours before the deadline earlier this month.
Crystal Palace were also keen on sealing the 24-year-old's return to Selhurst Park, having sold him to the Red Devils for £50million three years ago, but a switch failed to come to fruition.
Wan-Bissaka has been afforded just four minutes of Premier League action since the new season got underway and he headed up to the directors' box at Old Trafford despite being named in the matchday squad for last week’s Europa League group stage opener against Real Sociedad.
What has Pete O'Rourke said about Wan-Bissaka?
O'Rourke feels Manchester United made the right decision as they retained Wan-Bissaka after failing to bring in an alternative right-back option.
The journalist believes the former Crystal Palace man is willing to double down in his efforts to win over ten Hag, who took over as the Red Devils' chief in the summer.
O'Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: "Unless Manchester United were able to bring in a right-back, I didn't see any real point in them letting Wan-Bissaka go.
"I think the player will be happy to try and fight for his place."
Should Wan-Bissaka be Manchester United's first choice right-back?
Diogo Dalot has made the right-back slot his own during the early stages of the season and only missed four minutes of Premier League action.
Statistics show the Portuguese star boasts an average match rating of 7.08, wins two aerial battles per 90 minutes and has registered an assist, meaning he is in the top three for each metric among his Manchester United team-mates in the Premier League.
However, Wan-Bissaka averaged more blocks and recorded a better pass completion rate last season, so the £90,000-per-week man should not necessarily be cast aside by ten Hag.