Former Crystal Palace coach John Salako believes that Aaron Wan-Bissaka was "drifting" at the club just under two years ago.
The youngster has enjoyed a meteoric rise, earning a move to Manchester United after little more than a year of regular first team football at Palace.
Now the English defender will play for one of the biggest clubs in the world.
But Salako believes it could have turned out very differently.
"Eighteen months ago, Aaron was drifting," said former Crystal Palace winger John Salako to reporters.
"I worked with him. He was a wide player. He was very quiet. He was probably on the verge of going out on loan and maybe being pushed out and not getting another contract.
"He was asked to go to right-back as, probably, a last option and he has absolutely flown.
"He has shown an absolutely wonderful temperament. The lad has just come in and blown us away.
"He has great ability, his athleticism is incredible and his one-on-one defending is sensational."
