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Erik ten Hag provides update on Manchester United defensive duo

Erik ten Hag provides update on Man United defensive duo
© Reuters
Manchester United head coach Erik ten Hag provides an update on the fitness and availability of Aaron Wan-Bissaka and Brandon Williams.

Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag has challenged Aaron Wan-Bissaka to "make competition" for Diogo Dalot in the second half of the 2022-23 campaign.

The 24-year-old has only played four minutes of football for the Red Devils this season, featuring in the latter stages of the Premier League clash with Liverpool at the end of August.

Wan-Bissaka has spent time out through illness and injury this season, but he has recently been back in training, with his omissions against West Ham United and Aston Villa (twice) thought to be tactical decisions.

Man United are believed to be keen to sign a new right-back in January to battle Dalot for the starting role, but Ten Hag has challenged the Englishman to put himself in contention for regular action.

Brandon Williams, meanwhile, is yet to feature for the 20-time English champions through injury.

Norwich City's Brandon Williams in action with Chelsea's Cesar Azpilicueta on March 10, 2022© Reuters

The 22-year-old spent the 2021-22 campaign on loan at Norwich City in the Premier League, featuring on 26 occasions for the Canaries in England's top flight.

Williams has recently been pictured back in training, though, and Ten Hag has said that the full-back will travel with the team to Spain for their winter training camp.

"[Brandon had] a bad injury, and really struggled but he is in the right direction. He is in a good way, he is back on the pitch and he will return to team training next week," Ten Hag told reporters.

"He will go with us to the training camp in Cadiz, he will be available for the team so [I'm] happy for him.

Manchester United's Aaron Wan-Bissaka in action with Everton's Dominic Calvert-Lewin on April 9, 2022© Reuters

"Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he struggled as well, but in a different side. Some injuries, some illnesses, so he was also often not available, but he doesn't have a real big problem. It's about him [getting] really fit and to make competition with Diogo for the second half of the season."

Neither Williams nor Wan-Bissaka will feature at the 2022 World Cup, with the pair set to be involved in the upcoming friendlies with Cadiz and Real Betis.

The players not representing their countries at the competition in Qatar will make the trip to Spain next month, with the fixture against Cadiz scheduled for December 7, before a game with Real Betis three days later.

Man United will then be back in competitive action against Burnley in the EFL Cup the week commencing December 19, before welcoming Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on December 27.

Both Williams and Wan-Bissaka have contracts at Old Trafford until June 2024, with the option of another year.

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