Patrick Vieira addresses Aaron Wan-Bissaka potential Crystal Palace return

By Andrew McSteen

Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira refused to be drawn on reports linking former Eagles academy player Aaron Wan-Bissaka with a move back to South London.

The Croydon-born full-back left SE25 in July 2019 for Manchester United for a club-record £50million and impressed initially under manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, racking up a century of appearances in his first two seasons.

However, managerial changes and injury has seen him fail to secure a starting spot in the north-west under both Ralf Rangnick and now Erik ten Hag, appearing just twice this season.

“He is a Man United player, he’s a good player; there’s no doubt about that,” said Vieira about the right back. “But you know, we will not go through different names. We respect the player.

“The player is a Man United player and there’s nothing more to say about that.”

Wan-Bissaka joined the Eagles as an 11-year-old, rising through the ranks of the academy before making his first team debut against Tottenham at Selhurst Park in February 2018.

And that link was acknowledged by Vieira, who did not want to be drawn any further into the debate about any possible move.

“There’s a lot of players who went through to the academy and players [from this club] who have played in the Premier League or Championship,” explained Vieira about the 25-year-old.

“He’s related to this football club, and he has been loved by the fans, but again, he is a United player.”