Other players have been better than him. If he plays better he will play. Football simple
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Has he not played several times as one of the cms
He’s a number 10, I think he was signed primarily to be a back up for Bruno.
The issue is the way he plays the position is entirely reliant on others around him being on the same wavelength, and he’s more of a foil in that set up when he would give and go and runs into space to finish, which is the opposite of Bruno’s style, so we have a back up option that actually can’t be the back up option because his inclusion requires the whole team to change its playstyle.
Unless we are coached to play a more measured possession games, can’t see him lasting here.
The issue is the way he plays the position is entirely reliant on others around him being on the same wavelength, and he’s more of a foil in that set up when he would give and go and runs into space to finish, which is the opposite of Bruno’s style, so we have a back up option that actually can’t be the back up option because his inclusion requires the whole team to change its playstyle.
Unless we are coached to play a more measured possession games, can’t see him lasting here.
anyone know what kind of injury he currently has?
I haven't given up hope on him, needs a run of games to properly settle. Main issue is, for that to happen Bruno would have to be out injured (knock on wood). Has to be said, giving the current deficiencies of the team, spending that much on someone who is essentially Bruno's back up was an ill-advised move. I get the point about depth but surely primary goal is plugging the hole in your first eleven. The only other scenario I can see working is if Bruno steps back to get more involved as one of the midfield two and Donny plays the high 10 role. Again, suboptimal.
Donny is not a 10. In fact he might be useful to move ball quicker from deep and occasionally make runs in the box.
Not sure where this idea of him not being a 10 came from but that was his favoured position at Ajax. He just happens to play it differently to the way Bruno does. There's a good video from a guy called AtlantisFootball about issues with Donny at United, watch it if you can, he articulates it very well. Not the gospel by any means but gives some interesting insights into why he's started slowly.
The other issue with Donny playing deeper oddly enough, is his passing range. I think it's limited to short range. I've seen him hit long passes time and again and it just looks so unnatural. Around the box however, he doesn't need to hit long passes and is extremely intelligent with his short passes, flicks, interplays and movement. This is what we will see more of.
He also made a video saying that United should sign James Madison instead of Bruno. (I'll take his opinion with a large grain of salt)
Sell him or give him and Lingard to West ham for Rice, could always swap him for Sancho, anyone that we actually need I'd be ok with,
You said his passing is limited to short range and then you said he is no. 10. Are you sure that's what a 10 does?
No, he was never a creative midfielder at Ajax. He played AM also played in deep. He is never a replacement of Bruno at united. Max Ole can find a complimentary role for him.
No one is right all the time. besides how many people really expected Bruno to put up the numbers he has?limited passing range in that he doesn't hit long passes very well. TBF, he's more second striker than a 10 but for all intents and purposes he would be replacing Bruno in our team. Either way, not money well spent when we have other glaring needs. Sometimes I wonder if this was just an "opportunistic" signing we were roped into by Van Der Sar after their Madrid money fell through. In fact I'm going to bet at it was. Well, last time we listening to him on signings!
Donny at united seems to be round peg in square hole. We are position based team whereas Ajay is more of a total football. Donny is no doubt technically gifted but he is hardly a master of specific position and expect players around him of same mould. When he plays for us it looks like he and the rest are not on the same wavelength.
Don't know what will happen next year but this year is a waste in his career. Feeling sad for everyone.
United play football too slow for VDB.
It leaves him with the ball at his feet being the player that has to be very creative or make a decision.
If the speed of the football was spread apart, creative players more than Bruno - it's easy to see how VDB'S deadly runs, flicks and short passes adds a different depth to a fast paced team.
I still have hope's for him because I feel like he hasnt really found a position yet at United to try his best in.
It leaves him with the ball at his feet being the player that has to be very creative or make a decision.
If the speed of the football was spread apart, creative players more than Bruno - it's easy to see how VDB'S deadly runs, flicks and short passes adds a different depth to a fast paced team.
I still have hope's for him because I feel like he hasnt really found a position yet at United to try his best in.
I wonder what he was promised to convince him to sign for Utd because it couldn't have been about spending so much time on the bench
This had all the makings of a panic buy by Ed, very good player I admit, but where does he fit in. I want the best players to be at united but I don’t just want you warming the bench for 90% of games
Real shame when he could have had a chance to play when others have been injured, he gets injured himself.
This is not true, he played slightly further forward in a midfield 3 for Ajax not in a number 10 position.
He has hardly played at all and I can only remember the away game at Istanbul where he played there. You can't really judge a player unless he has a consistent run in a position.
I wonder what he was promised to convince him to sign for Utd because it couldn't have been about spending so much time on the bench
he would be playing more games if he wasn’t injured!
cant always be blaming the club for everything b
Money, and lots of it.I wonder what he was promised to convince him to sign for Utd because it couldn't have been about spending so much time on the bench
I think he played the home one too with Fred.
Feel sorry for him. Hasn’t really been given a run of games. Strange signing.
I like him and think he’s a good footballer. However, if Pogba is staying then unless we’re switching to a 4-3-3 I don’t see where he gets games. He’s not dynamic enough to play in the pivot in my opinion, rarely seen him play a pass from deep through the lines and I don’t think I’ve ever seen him hit a pass more than 5 yards. We also have Hannibal and Shola coming through for the 10 position. I just don’t think he suits how we play, he seems to be a recycle possession and positions type footballer which doesn’t suit out direct style. If you could get most of the money back and use it to invest in a DM I would do it.
Feel like he can't have been an Ole signing given how little he's played. While he's not been great, he's not been a disaster either.
No way Ole refuses to play him to this extent and make himself look daft to the board by refusing to play someone he wanted.
No way Ole refuses to play him to this extent and make himself look daft to the board by refusing to play someone he wanted.
Yeah there may have been one more but hardly an amount of games to make a judgement.
You know how much he earns do you? I'm sure he's delighted by not playing any football and stalling his career
Not been a disaster? He's been horrendous. Signings that don't feature are the worst kind imo
I think VDB needs a CDM more than anyone and it may be the reason Ole said he was a next season player.
When you see him currently as a CM it's very obvious that he makes runs that he shouldn't which leaves our midfield very open.
As a CAM he is more a goalscorer than a creative one to the point that people view him as a second striker.
I think a CDM allows us to play two CM/CAM in partnership a bit like David Silva & De Bryune - scoring goals more so than creativity.
My dream would be him as a false 9 or support striker
A narrow formation with defensively solid fullbacks would make sense.
When you see him currently as a CM it's very obvious that he makes runs that he shouldn't which leaves our midfield very open.
As a CAM he is more a goalscorer than a creative one to the point that people view him as a second striker.
I think a CDM allows us to play two CM/CAM in partnership a bit like David Silva & De Bryune - scoring goals more so than creativity.
My dream would be him as a false 9 or support striker
Rashford- Haaland
VDB
Bruno
Rice- Pogba
Shaw- Maguire - RCB - AWB
VDB
Bruno
Rice- Pogba
Shaw- Maguire - RCB - AWB
A narrow formation with defensively solid fullbacks would make sense.
Congratulations, you win the overreaction of the day award. And so early too, well done.You know how much he earns do you? I'm sure he's delighted by not playing any football and stalling his career
Pm your address to receive some scented tissues and a pair of frilly knickers.....
A few rumours doing the rounds saying he wants out after less than a season due to lack of game time. Certainly can’t blame the guy, he’s left regular football and a main role at Ajax to come and sit on Utd’s bench all season.
Hope we sell him in the summer or use him as part of a deal for somebody we need.
It is weird we haven't played him but there have been rumblings right from the start that he wasn't happy. I'm not sure his attitude was ever right.
Nothing wrong with moving on players if they clearly aren't right. The last thing we need is somebody at the club for years who doesn't contribute.
It is weird we haven't played him but there have been rumblings right from the start that he wasn't happy. I'm not sure his attitude was ever right.
Nothing wrong with moving on players if they clearly aren't right. The last thing we need is somebody at the club for years who doesn't contribute.
I think the club have taken VDS’s comment of “Look after him guys” far too literally to the point where we don’t even risk putting him out on the pitch.
How shit was last summer by the club. Imagine the only major singing left.
We already have so much to do this summer. Lingard will probably be his replacement ffs
We already have so much to do this summer. Lingard will probably be his replacement ffs
Yeah, this makes sense. He has a very similar skill set to Firmino. I could see this working. Martial keeps number 9 if he maintains the City form though.
This is a really weird signing. Has not played much, wasted one whole season, with Ole saying that he is one for next season. Really strange. Very unlikely, Ole would have put up with a purchase of any player without his approval. Also, Woodward buys who our managers want, not out of his arse. Here's hoping the lad gets better soon and starts producing. The sooner, the better for both him and the club.
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I don't understand why we can't play a diamond formation. We played one against Everton at Goodison and we wiped the floor with them in the first 30 mins. That team included Pogba, VDB and Bruno. Its not like Greenwood or Martial are pulling up trees either. So logically this formation would be great for us, plus it allows us plenty of options off the bench.
DDG
AWB Victor Maguire Shaw
Fred/Mctominay
VDB Bruno Pogba
Cavani/Greenwood Rashford/Martial
The benefit of this formation is, Pogba can play on the Left where he enjoys playing and linkup with Rashford or Martial will benefit us, VDB will help us keep possession on the Right side where with AWB, we never seem to be in control. Bruno plays in his favorite position, plus this formation will allow us to overload midfield with 4 vs 2 or 4 vs 3 against sides that sit deep, lastly with Pogba and VDB both in the lineup, it will help us keep more of the ball compared to Fred, Bruno and Mctominay, where all three are prone to giving away cheap passes and overturn possession.
It also puts a question mark on Ole and his tactical management, this squad is not perfect but pretty good and any tactical manager will use a formation which will make use of his best players. Ancelotti would probably use a diamond with this side and get the best out of most of our players, whereas SAF would have won the league with this team.
DDG
AWB Victor Maguire Shaw
Fred/Mctominay
VDB Bruno Pogba
Cavani/Greenwood Rashford/Martial
The benefit of this formation is, Pogba can play on the Left where he enjoys playing and linkup with Rashford or Martial will benefit us, VDB will help us keep possession on the Right side where with AWB, we never seem to be in control. Bruno plays in his favorite position, plus this formation will allow us to overload midfield with 4 vs 2 or 4 vs 3 against sides that sit deep, lastly with Pogba and VDB both in the lineup, it will help us keep more of the ball compared to Fred, Bruno and Mctominay, where all three are prone to giving away cheap passes and overturn possession.
It also puts a question mark on Ole and his tactical management, this squad is not perfect but pretty good and any tactical manager will use a formation which will make use of his best players. Ancelotti would probably use a diamond with this side and get the best out of most of our players, whereas SAF would have won the league with this team.
Couple of colleagues of mine based in Amsterdam said that this news was doing the rounds at the weekend. Hardly surprising at all, he's not been given a run of games to cement his place or to show his worth. Very strange signing by the club.
He would also find himself more on the bench if he wasn't injured.
Paying 40 million for a backup is simply a luxury reserved for teams that consistently win major trophies. That's quite obviously not us. Bizarre.
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