Erik ten Hag may already be ruing his decision to accept a request from Manchester United chiefs to give Aaron Wan-Bissaka another chance.
The Red Devils' boss opted not to sell Wan-Bissaka in the summer after United received bids that fell below their valuation. Instead Ten Hag backed down on his wishes to sign a new right-back after conceding United's board had supported him greatly with a transfer splurge of more than £230million.
However, United's decision to delay signing another option in that position now looks to have cost Ten Hag his ideal target. The Dutchman had identified Barcelona star Sergino Dest as the ideal candidate to provide competition for Diogo Dalot, having worked with him previously at Ajax.
United have already signed Lisandro Martinez and Antony after Ten Hag persuaded the club they would be wise acquisitions, while Tyrell Malacia has also followed from the Dutch league. It seems Ten Hag was happy to wait for the opportunity to sign Dest, however, as he accepted Wan-Bissaka deserved another crack at trying to force his way into first-team plans.
Both Crystal Palace and West Ham were interested in signing Wan-Bissaka prior to the transfer deadline but United did not receive a bid above £10m - a £40m loss on the fee they paid Palace to sign him in 2019. United were not keen on letting Wan-Bissaka leave on loan either, especially without signing a replacement.
While Dest has struggled to make an impact at Barcelona, the 21-year-old American is considered among the most promising right-backs in Europe. AC Milan took advantage of United's hesitancy and swooped to sign him on loan before the window slammed shut, while cleverly negotiating an option-to-buy clause in the contract too.
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That may well have now scuppered any hopes United have of making an offer for Dest later down the line, given he is now determined to make his stay at the San Siro a long-term one. “There’s a buy option in the contract between AC Milan and Barcelona, so I will do my best here as I hope Milan will sign me on permanent deal," Dest has said (via journalist Fabrizio Romano). "I’m really happy here and I will give 100% to stay."
Dest's comments will come as a blow to Ten Hag, who has been keen to bring in players who already know the style of play he is trying to implement at Old Trafford. It looks likely that Wan-Bissaka, 24, will still leave the club in the near future, with United still in need of other options at right-back.
Victor Lindelof can play in the position, as can youngster Brandon Williams, though neither are considered ideal back-up or competition for Dalot, who is currently first choice. United are now being linked with ex-Atletico Madrid star Santiago Arias, 30, who is a free agent.
Ten Hag may look to chase other right-back targets in January, with United reportedly ready to hand him a £70m budget. Southampton star Kyle Walker-Peters was one of the players linked with a switch to Old Trafford in the summer.
However, Ten Hag now appears to be searching for a workaround, having deployed Malacia at right-back in the second half of the 2-0 win over FC Sheriff on Thursday night, while Luke Shaw came off the bench to fill in on the left flank.
