Defender says singing to team-mates more terrifying than debut

AARON WAN-BISSAKA admits he was more nervous about singing to his team-mates than making his debut for Manchester United.

Wan-Bissaka, a £50million singing from Crystal Palace, performed a rap by Meek Mill on United’s pre-season tour Down Under as part of his initiation ceremony.

The 21-year-old made his debut in United’s 2-0 win over Perth Glory on Saturday, coming on as a second-half sub. But he said his performance off the pitch proved the biggest ordeal.

Asked if he was more nervous singing than making his debut, Wan-Bissaka said: “Yeah. I’ll stick to what I know, and that’s football.

“I’ve settled in well, the boys have been great and they’ve welcomed me.”

The full-back has been training with United for two weeks since his switch and admits it has been a huge step up from his former club.

Asked to identify the biggest difference since joining United, he said: “The style of play, the way they work, the intensity.

“That’s going to develop me as a player. I always want to be pushed to reach my potential. Over the summer there was a lot to go through, but I’m here now and that’s my main focus.

Wan-Bissaka has earned the nickname ‘Spider’ for his unique tackling style, but accepts he has to time his interceptions for them to come off.

“I don’t think I learnt it, I think it’s just the range of the legs,” he said. “I realised when I was 18 I just had that so I use it to my advantage.

“You’ve got to time it well to make the tackles, but that comes down to concentration. After every tackle it gives me confidence.”

Although Wan-Bissaka is United’s fourth most expensive signing, he claimed he does not feel under pressure because of the price tag.

“It’s just developing as a player and my ability to help the team going forward,” he said. “Everyone has been talking to me, encouraging me, with advice. That’s helped me a lot.

“For me it wasn’t hard. I wanted to take my development to the next level and this was the team where I thought I could do it.

Wan-Bissaka was pictured in a United shirt when he was younger, but denied he was always a Red.

“When I was young, me and my brother were given the shirts to wear,” said Wan-Bissaka.

“But Palace is my hometown, that’s where I grew up.”