There have been a lot of worries for Manchester United in recent times surrounding the availability of players, whether it is due to injuries, international games or suspensions. The club have been handed one major boost in that regard heading into their next UEFA Champions League group stage game, against Atalanta.
Manchester United have made a mixed start to the competition, winning one and losing the other of their first two group stage games. As a result, they find themselves in a tricky situation at the moment, sitting at third in their group behind Atalanta and Young Boys.
Thus, their upcoming couple of games against Atalanta will be very important. The Italian side sit at the top of the group right now.
One player, who was set to miss the first of those games is Aaron Wan-Bissaka, after picking up a red card in the first game against Young Boys. He missed the 2-1 win against Villarreal but now, Manchester United’s appeal to UEFA over the two-match ban has been successful.
Manchester United handed massive boost as Wan-Bissaka ban reduced
As reported by Manchester United’s official website, the UEFA statement reads:
"“The appeal lodged by Manchester United has been upheld. Consequently, the UEFA Control, Ethics and Disciplinary Body’s decision of 23 September 2021 is amended as follows:“‘To suspend Manchester United player, Mr. Aaron Wan‐Bissaka, for the next one (1) UEFA club competition match for which he would be otherwise eligible, for rough play.'”"
This is terrific news for the Red Devils. It means that the defender is now available for their upcoming Champions League game against Atalanta.
Wan-Bissaka has been a regular in Manchester United’s starting XI ever since arriving at the club in the summer of 2019. And thus, his availability will definitely hand Solskjaer a massive boost.
Manchester United are now entering one of the toughest phases of their season and the upcoming few weeks could end up having a huge impact on their 2021/22 campaign. Over the next six games, they will face Atalanta twice, Manchester City, Liverpool, Tottenham Hotspur and Leicester City. Games against Chelsea, Arsenal and Villarreal are not far away either.
As a result, it goes without saying that they need their best players available heading into this tough series of games. Wan-Bissaka is certainly one of them.