Crystal Palace
Comparing Man United’s current star and promising 21-year-old target – Stats show that it’s time for a change
Manchester United opinion: Comparing Young and Wan-Bissaka – an analysis
If the recent loss to Wolverhampton Wanderers proved anything, it’s that Manchester United need a reliable defender. Chris Smalling is far from perfect and as witnessed against Wolves, Ashley Young can be a liability.
The 33-year-old has struggled of late defensively, making the right-back position one of Ole Gunnar Solskajaer’s biggest conundrums.
While he does have Diogo Dalot at his disposal, the Portuguese youngster has played more games as a right-winger over the last few weeks, with injuries affecting the team. However, to make matters worse, Solskjaer has opted to play Young as a right-sided centre-back.
The 33-year-old is at crossroads in his career. As this season has showcased, the veteran has lost a lot of speed and agility, traits that made him such a threat going forward.
His conversion into a right-back from a left-winger for Manchester United hasn’t been seamless but Young has made up for it with his offensive contributions.
Time has come to replace him and the Mirror has reported that Manchester United have been linked with a move for Aaron Wan-Bissaka. But can the Crystal Palace right-back successfully replace Ashley Young?
Ashley Young vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Defensive stats)
Given the fact that Crystal Palace
While he did make his debut last season, Wan-Bissaka has hit his stride this campaign with 28 appearances to his name. And it shows, with the young full-back dominating the opposition at times, playing a big part in the fact that Palace has done so well defensively.
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Ashley Young, on the other hand, has struggled for the Red Devils this season. So far, the Manchester United man has made 25 appearances, averaging 1.6 tackles, 19 interceptions and 2.2 clearances, getting dribbled past at an average of 0.6.
As a former winger, Young tends to burst forward more often than not, getting caught out defensively. Earlier, his speed and agility helped him make up the ground but at the age of 33, things have changed.
The Englishman still depends heavily on his speed, which has deserted him in recent years and played a part in his downfall.
Ashley Young vs Aaron Wan-Bissaka (Attacking stats)
Ashley Young dominates this area, with two things coming into play. The first one is that the Englishman is a former winger, and the second is the fact that Crystal Palace struggle offensively. As witnessed, the statistics prove that.
Young has created 2 assists in the Premier League, with an average of 1.3 key passes and 0.5 dribbles per game. Wan-Bissaka, on the other
Like a modern full-back, the 21-year-old loves moving forward but has struggled to produce the end product. That’s one area that he needs to improve and maybe in a more attacking setup, those statistics should shoot up in the near future.
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Conclusion
The fact that Aaron Wan-Bissaka is just 21 years old shows just how much the young full-back can improve in the near future. On the other hand, Ashley Young’s best days are behind him.
Crystal Palace
Everton Face Crystal Palace Promotion Test as Phelan Prepares Toffees for Tough Opening Fixture Against Newly-Promoted Eagles
Everton commence their Women’s Super League campaign at Crystal Palace confronting newly-promoted opposition establishing immediate competitive challenge transcending merely opening-fixture formality.
Sean Phelan’s explicit recognition that Palace represent “a tough game” combined with his acknowledgement of their home advantage establishes appropriate championship mentality suggesting realistic assessment regarding promoted team motivation rather than dismissive underestimation.
Match Information and Competitive Context
Everton versus Crystal Palace kicks off Sunday 5 September 2026 at 2:00pm BST from VBS Community Stadium. Phelan’s stated philosophy emphasising preparation for “the best version of the opponent” combined with his recognition that newly-promoted teams “have the motivation to prove a point” establishes sophisticated competitive framework transcending purely statistical fixture analysis.
His assertion that “early in the season, every team is at their most optimistic” suggests mature perspective regarding opening-phase competitive intensity transcending conventional tier-based hierarchies.
Newly-Promoted Motivation Establishes Legitimate Competitive Threat
Palace’s promotion achievement combined with their home opening establishes meaningful competitive foundation supporting their determination to validate their elite-level credentials. Phelan’s explicit recognition that their “mentality will be used to winning after last season” suggests authentic respect regarding their competitive quality, validating his emphasis upon thorough preparation transcending merely expected outcome assumptions.
That motivated context combined with their elevation suggests Palace possess genuine capability meriting Everton’s full competitive engagement rather than ceremonial fixture participation.
Everton’s Competitive Identity Development Establishes Season Framework
Phelan’s stated objective emphasising team competitiveness establishment alongside their identity development suggests pragmatic season approach transcending purely immediate victory accumulation. His recognition that Everton “can be competitive against stronger teams” combined with his emphasis upon “winning games expected to win” establishes realistic performance expectations supporting sustainable season development rather than overambitious immediate championship pursuit.
This opening fixture feels strategically important for Everton’s competitive establishment. Rather than pursuing complacent newly-promoted dismissal, Phelan establishes appropriate respect framework suggesting genuine championship engagement. Their competitive identity development combined with their Palace challenge positions Everton favorably for meaningful season progression throughout their anticipated campaign.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Sign Füka Tsunoda From Brighton on Season Long Loan as Japanese Midfielder Pursues Competitive Development Opportunity
Crystal Palace have completed the season-long loan acquisition of midfielder Füka Tsunoda from Brighton & Hove Albion, establishing young attacking talent pursuing meaningful competitive minutes within their Women’s Super League establishment.
The 21-year-old Japanese international’s two-goal Brighton contribution combined with her seven league appearances establishes genuine elite-level exposure, suggesting proven quality deserving sustained competitive development within challenging professional environment.
Tsunoda’s transfer to South London represents strategic recruitment supporting Jo Potter’s squad construction philosophy, with the midfielder establishing herself as eighth summer signing. That recruitment accumulation suggests Potter constructs comprehensive squad depth supporting their inaugural Women’s Super League season following their promotion success, indicating realistic competitive ambition regarding their elite-level establishment.
Japanese Prospect Brings Elite League Experience and Goal Contribution
Tsunoda’s Brighton foundation combined with her two-goal Women’s Super League contribution establishes credible elite-level pedigree justifying Crystal Palace’s loan commitment. Her Urawa Reds background providing Japanese domestic elite experience establishes dual-pathway development suggesting sophisticated player development trajectory rather than purely untested prospect recruitment.
Her explicit excitement regarding her South London opportunity combined with Potter’s recognition of her as “exciting talent” suggests genuine confidence regarding her immediate contribution capability.
Loan Structure Enables Competitive Development Without Long-Term Commitment
Crystal Palace’s season-long loan arrangement establishes pragmatic development platform enabling meaningful competitive access whilst maintaining Brighton’s long-term rights, suggesting realistic squad development philosophy.
That structured approach provides Tsunoda genuine first-team opportunity whilst limiting both clubs’ risk exposure during transitional competitive periods.
This signing feels strategically important for Crystal Palace’s Women’s Super League establishment. Rather than relying exclusively upon established performers, they invest in young promising talent bringing elite international experience.
Tsunoda’s Japanese international recognition combined with her Brighton credentials positions her as developed prospect capable of meaningful Palace contribution supporting their inaugural elite-level season objectives.
Crystal Palace
Crystal Palace Sign Tottenham Defender Molly Bartrip on Three Year Deal as Experienced Centre-Back Arrives
Crystal Palace have secured defender Molly Bartrip from Tottenham Hotspur on a three-year contract for an undisclosed fee, completing significant defensive recruitment.
The 30-year-old centre-back arrives following five years establishing herself as reliable Tottenham performer, accumulating 114 competitive appearances whilst contributing toward the club’s Adobe Women’s FA Cup final appearance during the 2023-24 campaign.
Bartrip brings proven elite-level experience accumulated across multiple Women’s Super League environments including her Reading tenure where she contributed toward the Berkshire club’s promotion success and subsequent top flight establishment. Her England youth international recognition combined with sustained elite-level performance suggests established defender capable of immediate championship-level contribution during Crystal Palace’s Women’s Super League campaign.
Experienced Defender Expresses Genuine Palace Enthusiasm
Bartrip articulated authentic emotional connection regarding her Crystal Palace appointment, specifically highlighting the club’s facilities and welcoming environment as sources of genuine excitement. Her language suggests authentic pride in joining the club rather than viewing the transfer as purely career progression, indicating genuine enthusiasm regarding Selhurst Park’s football environment and institutional culture.
The defender’s emphasis upon the people and facilities suggests she identifies genuine competitive advantages within Palace’s structures supporting her anticipated contribution.
Palace Build Defensive Stability Around Experienced Quality
Bartrip becomes Crystal Palace’s sixth summer signing, representing comprehensive squad construction supporting their Women’s Super League competitive ambitions. Her reunion with former Tottenham teammate Bethany England creates existing familiarity within defensive structures, potentially accelerating integration whilst providing established defensive partnership foundation.
This signing feels strategically important for Crystal Palace’s defensive construction. Bartrip arrives with proven Tottenham experience combined with demonstrated consistency across multiple elite environments, providing established quality without requiring substantial developmental investment.
Her willingness to commit to Palace following her Tottenham tenure validates the club’s competitive direction whilst suggesting genuine confidence regarding their championship-level potential moving forward.
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