After protracted negotiations West Ham finally signed Aaron Wan-Bissaka from Man United as they “upgraded” to Noussair Mazraoui.
When West Ham technical director Tim Steidten grew tired of traditional negotiating techniques with Man United for Aaron Wan-Bissaka, he decided to use the dark arts.
Steidten has been coveted by the likes of Liverpool, Newcastle and Chelsea in the past.
And Manchester United soon found out why.
Steidten submitted a West Ham bid for Noussair Mazraoui – knowing full well Man United wanted to sign the Moroccan.
The clever move ultimately served the purpose for which it was intended.
Man United will be stunned by Wan-Bissaka at West Ham
Steidten smoked the Red Devils out in negotiations with West Ham for Wan-Bissaka.
Eventually the Hammers got their man for around £15m and Man United signed Mazraoui with the money.
The rationale behind Erik ten Hag’s dealings were that Mazraoui would be a vast improvement on Wan-Bissaka going forward.
Man United fans wished Wan-Bissaka well on leaving with many telling their West Ham counterparts that Wan-Bissaka’s reputation for being one of the best defensive full-backs around is fully justified.
‘Not great going forward, though’ tends to be the caveat applied to any conversation involving the defender they nickname ‘the spider’.
Wan-Bissaka has already hugely impressed at West Ham. Coming on as a substitute for his debut at former club Palace, Wan-Bissaka was key to the victory, setting up the move which made it 1-0.
New Hammers star already dispelling Man United myth
The former Man United man was the best player on the pitch as he played both right and left-back in a win over Bournemouth in the Carabao Cup.
He was also one of West Ham’s best players in the harsh defeat to Man City at the weekend.
In the meantime pressure has once again piled on Ten Hag after Man United’s dismal 3-0 defeat to Liverpool.
And Man United will be stunned by a new Wan-Bissaka revelation at West Ham.
Mazraoui did not disgrace himself by any means in the defeat to Liverpool.
Popular Manchester United site United In Focus conceded the club took a risk in selling Wan-Bissaka to West Ham.
The site says that’s because Wan-Bissaka is one of the best defensive full-backs around.
But the myth Wan-Bissaka is not good going the other way has already been blown out of the water.
After the game against Man City, it emerged Wan-Bissaka has completed the most take-ons of any Premier League defender this season with a fantastic five.
And the full-back has only started just one Premier League game since leaving Old Trafford for the London Stadium.
Clear why West Ham handed Wan-Bissaka seven-year deal
This kind of statistic will surely have Man United reeling and full of regret.
Time will tell whether selling Wan-Bissaka instead of handing him a new long-term deal was a big mistake from Manchester United.
West Ham clearly feel he is the perfect full-back for the long-term after handing him a whopping seven-year contract.
Everyone was already in agreement Wan-Bissaka is among the top defensive full-backs in the world.
But he is showing talk he can’t attack is ill-informed and it may leave Ten Hag with yet more egg on his face when it comes to transfer dealings.
A penny for the thoughts of those in the Man United boardroom.
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