[Zen86]

This signing makes no sense at all. There's nothing to suggest Ole actually wanted this guy, as you would think he would have had some level of perseverance with him if he did. The signing also came out of the blue as well, as did most of our signings last summer.

It has the hallmarks of an opportunistic Woody special that hasn't gone very well.

 

[NinjaFletch]

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.

I mean the real problem is that he's been too shit to even justify being a back up. At no point have his performances justified him being given more game time and we're constantly in a battle to work out which games we can get away with playing 10 men in. Even Lingard would have been more use.

It's a total write off of a season; if he stays, and I hope he does and can be as good as some still hope, he needs a totally fresh start next year.

 

[KiD MoYeS]

I'd happily give him another season to settle. But I wouldn't blame him for wanting out when it doesn't look like he's in the manager plans. Would Dortmund take him as part of any deal?

 

[AgentSmith]

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.

I would love to see the diamond used more often. It seems to suit all of our best players bar AWB.

- Greenwood and Rashford get to play in their favoured channels while still being close to goal.
- Bruno gets to play as a no.10 while still having options ahead of him to occupy the CBs and provide space for him
- Pogba can play in that LCM role with the freedom to drop deep, go wide or push forward.
- Shaw gets maximum freedom down the left-hand side to provide our width.
- Bailly and Maguire can push up and be aggressive with a CDM just ahead of them to provide defensive help and Henderson a much more active safety valve behind.
- It’s a formation that ostensibly Donny should do well in. Buteven if he doesn’t that RCM role suits McTominay as well, especially given his recent goal scoring exploits.

The main issues would be relying on AWB to provide width on the right and the limitations of the options for CDM (Matic - too slow, McTominay/Fred better further forward). It also doesn’t necessarily have a role Fred would excel in.

Would still love to see it more often though.

 

[Devil may care]

Unless there's a real turnaround it's hard to believe Ole really wanted him, I can't imagine Van de Beek came here to be Bruno's cover/rotation and in the double pivot the issue is his passing game isn't expansive, he's all about short give and goes.

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

Heated ass massaging United branded cushions!

 

[Lennon7]

Poor from him if true. Most players work hard to adapt - you can’t just bail after one season because you’ve not broken into the starting XI yet. It’s not like he’s being benched unfairly.

 

[Terranova]

Poor from him if true. Most players work hard to adapt - you can’t just bail after one season because you’ve not broken into the starting XI yet. It’s not like he’s being benched unfairly.

It all depends on what was promised. If he was promised a lot of game time, well then promises were broken and it's justified to hand in a transfer request. If he wasn't promised a certain amount of game time(which would be odd for him to accept being a Dutch International and starter for a CL club, albeit in a lower league) then it would be poor from him, even though it doesn't seem like he's getting any chances to change his situation.

 

[OleBoiii]

I saw people compare him to Kagawa, which is kind of harsh. At least he sucked it up and adapted well to the left wing(under Fergie, mind you) and scored a hattrick after being injured for 3 months. He also cost less than half of what Donny cost, even adjusted for inflation. If I'm not mistaken Kagawa was the same age as Donny as well.

Donny strikes me as a "specialist" midfielder who's only suited to a very certain style of play. He doesn't really assert himself and that is a problem in the PL, imo.

 

[BlahRules]

I was hoping he will be our link between defence and attack. He is press resistant and able to play quick one twos with players allowing him to move forward on the pitch and with the added factor of his stamina to cover space.

 

[redshaw]

He had some good games early on. In the 5-0 against Leipzig at home he helped our midfield resist the press with his quick passing and good control helping out AWB high up the pitch which they planned to expose, he was immense that night and covered the ground in 70 mins to what Fred did in 90mins, it's criminal he didn't play the return game. Changed the game when he came on against Newcastle away and we then scored a bunch in the last part of the game. He did great at moving the ball forward quickly.

It didn't seem like Ole really noticed what he was bringing and I feel we'd be in the CL if he played against Leipzig away and we didn't switch to some silly 3 at the back which they rinsed AWB from the first minute. That was the perfect game to add Donny when Fred was sent off to PSG.

His performances since have not been good at all sadly, doesn't seem to be able to connect with the play like before and has lost what role he is which is not that surprising. I feel sorry we spent that much in a pandemic and wasted a year of a top Ajax player and hope we can find a club for him and get most of the money back. Does not seem at all he is some Pogba replacement like some thought, not like for like of course.

The weird thing is Ole was supposedly key to bringing him here yet there isn't a day that goes by without someone posting Ole never wanted him. I even recall some interview with Donny saying something similar to how Ole convinced him.

"In an ‘inside story’ of how the Red Devils won the race for Van de Beek’s signature, The Athletic’s Adam Crafton revealed this morning that the key figure in the deal was manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

‘Before committing to the transfer, [Van de Beek] insisted upon holding talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,’ Crafton explains.

‘Those familiar with the deal say that Van de Beek came off the phone immediately convinced by the Norwegian’s pitch.

‘Van de Beek was excited to hear how Solskjaer would fit him into United’s midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

‘Solskjaer’s response was said to be authoritative.’

The reporter confirms that although other clubs were also in the race to sign the midfielder, Solskjaer’s intervention had convinced him that his future lay with United.

‘Reports over the weekend indicated serious interest from Tottenham and Barcelona in Van de Beek. Members of Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman’s backroom staff are believed to have a strong relationship with the player.

‘It is true the two clubs were kept abreast but it is also the case that after speaking to Solskjaer, Van de Beek’s representatives made clear that the player’s future would lie at Old Trafford.

‘Throughout the whole process, including Real Madrid, Solskjaer is the only manager outside of Ajax who has spoken to Van de Beek about a transfer.’

He came from Ajax razor sharp, seeing our players constantly give the ball away while we have such a top player not involved lose sharpness is really maddening. He should've played more and raised the standards.

 

[lex talionis]

Whatever one thinks of Donny, and I happen to be one who sees a quality footballer in him, this is untenable situation for him. I’m on board with Ole (second place in the PL) but what a farce that we spent 40m for a player with CL experience we almost literally never use.

 

[Solius]

Feels like one of those players that would excel if he got a run of games.

 

[Jacky Quacky]

Tbf it’s not our fault when he’s injured at the exact same time all our other midfield options are injured. Hell he hasn’t even been playing so idk how he got injured

 

[b82REZ]

The weird thing is Ole was supposedly key to bringing him here yet there isn't a day that goes by without someone posting Ole never wanted him. I even recall some interview with Donny saying something similar to how Ole convinced him.

"In an ‘inside story’ of how the Red Devils won the race for Van de Beek’s signature, The Athletic’s Adam Crafton revealed this morning that the key figure in the deal was manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

‘Before committing to the transfer, [Van de Beek] insisted upon holding talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,’ Crafton explains.

‘Those familiar with the deal say that Van de Beek came off the phone immediately convinced by the Norwegian’s pitch.

‘Van de Beek was excited to hear how Solskjaer would fit him into United’s midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

‘Solskjaer’s response was said to be authoritative.’

The reporter confirms that although other clubs were also in the race to sign the midfielder, Solskjaer’s intervention had convinced him that his future lay with United.

‘Reports over the weekend indicated serious interest from Tottenham and Barcelona in Van de Beek. Members of Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman’s backroom staff are believed to have a strong relationship with the player.

‘It is true the two clubs were kept abreast but it is also the case that after speaking to Solskjaer, Van de Beek’s representatives made clear that the player’s future would lie at Old Trafford.

‘Throughout the whole process, including Real Madrid, Solskjaer is the only manager outside of Ajax who has spoken to Van de Beek about a transfer.’

Hopefully this puts to bed the narrative that he was signed behind Ole's back.

 

[SuperiorXI]

I have a bad feeling he is going to be one of those players we look at in a few years from now and think what the feck where we playing at? Along the lines of Pogba, maybe worse.

 

[Adam-Utd]

This guy must be cursed.

He finally gets a chance in the team with several injuries in midfield/attack and he's injured for most of the period himself.

I do wonder whether he's just mentally defeated and is just counting down the days to leave? I hope he gets a proper chance before the end of the season to prove himself.

 

[Gandalf]

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

Says it all that Lingard would be a significant upgrade.

 

[Oranges038]

The more I look at it and the more I see Utd play, just like Thiago at Liverpool, it just looks like his style doesn't suit the way Ole wants to play. Maybe if he got a good run of games he might be able to integrate himself into the team and perform well, but even when he was fit he barely got a sniff.

 

[SuperiorXI]

Says it all that Lingard would be a significant upgrade.

He's miles better than Lingard. It's all about the system.

 

[RuudTom83]

Really he hasn’t shown anything that would make it hard to keep him out the team.

You can’t just blame the coaches, Ole or Woody...sometimes the player has to take responsibility.

He will get another season at the club IF he wants it. The emphasis is on Donny here.

 

[peridigm]

Hopefully this puts to bed the narrative that he was signed behind Ole's back.

It shouldn't have to. He wasn't signed behind Ole's back. It's been reported Ole has the power to veto transfers and would heave communicated with Edwin over his transfer. I doubt Edwin would have sent his player into a black hole if Ole didn't want him.

 

[AgentSmith]

He had some good games early on. In the 5-0 against Leipzig at home he helped our midfield resist the press with his quick passing and good control helping out AWB high up the pitch which they planned to expose . Changed the game when he came on against Newcastle away and we then scored a bunch in the last part of the game. He did great at moving the ball forward quickly.

It didn't seem like Ole really noticed what he was bringing and I feel we'd be in the CL if he played against Leipzig away and we didn't switch to some silly 3 at the back which they rinsed AWB from the first minute. That was the perfect game to add Donny when Fred was sent off to PSG.

His performances since have not been good at all sadly, doesn't seem to be able to connect with the play like before and has lost what role he is which is not that surprising. I feel sorry we spent that much in a pandemic and wasted a year of a top Ajax player and hope we can find a club for him and get most of the money back. Does not seem at all he is some Pogba replacement like some thought, not like for like of course.

The weird thing is Ole was supposedly key to bringing him here yet there isn't a day that goes by without someone posting Ole never wanted him. I even recall some interview with Donny saying something similar to how Ole convinced him.

"In an ‘inside story’ of how the Red Devils won the race for Van de Beek’s signature, The Athletic’s Adam Crafton revealed this morning that the key figure in the deal was manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

‘Before committing to the transfer, [Van de Beek] insisted upon holding talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,’ Crafton explains.

‘Those familiar with the deal say that Van de Beek came off the phone immediately convinced by the Norwegian’s pitch.

‘Van de Beek was excited to hear how Solskjaer would fit him into United’s midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.

‘Solskjaer’s response was said to be authoritative.’

The reporter confirms that although other clubs were also in the race to sign the midfielder, Solskjaer’s intervention had convinced him that his future lay with United.

‘Reports over the weekend indicated serious interest from Tottenham and Barcelona in Van de Beek. Members of Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman’s backroom staff are believed to have a strong relationship with the player.

‘It is true the two clubs were kept abreast but it is also the case that after speaking to Solskjaer, Van de Beek’s representatives made clear that the player’s future would lie at Old Trafford.

‘Throughout the whole process, including Real Madrid, Solskjaer is the only manager outside of Ajax who has spoken to Van de Beek about a transfer.’

Hopefully this ends the idea that VDB was forced upon Ole and he’s refusing to play him as a result.

If you look at our normal starting XI this year the ones in bold probably would’ve been binned off if we’d based their future at the club on their first year:

De Gea
AWB Lindelof Maguire Shaw
McTominay Fred
Greenwood Bruno Rashford
Cavani​

Then you look at other midfielders (Ndombele, Gundogan, Ward-Prowse etc.) who look like different players relative to their first seasons in the Premier League and it becomes easier to see a turnaround for VDB.

Fred’s transformation shows the value in patience when assessing a midfielder coming from a ‘smaller’ league.

 

[luke511]

He needs to be given a proper run of games in the double pivot. We've only seen Fred, DVB and Bruno play in the same midfield once this season and it was one of our best performances, Basaksehir at home.

 

[Mickeza]

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

If he left would we need to sign a replacement? We need 4 players whether he stays or goes which probably says all you need to know about his impact here.

 

[b82REZ]

It shouldn't have to. He wasn't signed behind Ole's back. It's been reported Ole has the power to veto transfers and would heave communicated with Edwin over his transfer. I doubt Edwin would have sent his player into a black hole if Ole didn't want him.

I know that. But that hasn't stopped numerous posters saying he isn't playing because Woodward signed him without Ole's consent.

The truth is either he's not good enough, the club don't know how to use him effectively, or more likely, a bit of both.

 

[Ali Dia]

I want to say I think he’ll turn it around big time next season but I’m not sure who’s coming out of the team if Pogba stays. There’ll be plenty of rotation time but he needs to show an awful lot more next year to ever really get in the team beyond an injury crisis. I doubt the club would consider selling him so soon unless he wants to go.

 

[manunited1919]

It’s looking like we signed him as an insurance policy in case you know who doesn’t sign a contract extension and is sold this summer.

 

[romufc]

Really he hasn’t shown anything that would make it hard to keep him out the team.

You can’t just blame the coaches, Ole or Woody...sometimes the player has to take responsibility.

He will get another season at the club IF he wants it. The emphasis is on Donny here.

Exactly this.

If every new signing was brought in and played regardless of performances, the blame would be on coaches.

He's played 26 times and only one game can we say he played well which was Leipzig at home. Is that good enough?

You get into a team by improving the team, you have to show the players, coaches and fans that you are capable of improving the team.

Yes lets blame the coaches but there is a player with 16 PL goals playing in CAM. Are fans really suggesting dropping him for Donny? If so, I have no words to those fans.

 

[el3mel]

We'll sell him for a big loss in summer, like for 30m or something. Pretty shame really. Can't see any other outcome.

 

[lysglimt]

Would be interesting to offer him to Dortmund in a part-exchange for Sancho and Haaland

Offer Dortmund £120 million + v.d Beek for those 2.

 

[Idxomer]

We'll sell him for a big loss in summer, like for 30m or something. Pretty shame really. Can't see any other outcome.

That would be the best outcome. The club will lose more on him the longer he stays.

 

[pocco]

This signing makes no sense at all. There's nothing to suggest Ole actually wanted this guy, as you would think he would have had some level of perseverance with him if he did. The signing also came out of the blue as well, as did most of our signings last summer.

It has the hallmarks of an opportunistic Woody special that hasn't gone very well.

You'd think so but it was made clear in the summer that we have a transfer committee in place now and Ole is very much a part of it. Apparently he has the option to veto players, so why didn't he veto VDB?

According to The Athletic, Solskjaer was the one to convince him to come to United. He also said at the beginning of the season that he'd have a 'big part to play' this season.

 

[Vidyoyo]

Fred’s transformation shows the value in patience when assessing a midfielder coming from a ‘smaller’ league.

Have said this before myself. Donny is due at least one more year before we can properly assess him.

It's also worth mentioning I think how the majority of our midfielders have played really well this year. I think their consistency, and in some cases resurgence, has been a key factor in Donny not playing as much. It should go without saying but... that might not happen next year.

 

[peridigm]

I know that. But that hasn't stopped numerous posters saying he isn't playing because Woodward signed him without Ole's consent.

The truth is either he's not good enough, the club don't know how to use him effectively, or more likely, a bit of both.

I think it's more a case that we have too many players in the starting 11 that are being played into form and Ole can't afford to do the same in MF with Donny.
I have no idea what kind of player Donny is because I've never seen him play while at Ajax. Was he brought in to replace Fred or Pogba, or simply just to add depth in those positions?
Is he a #10 or a #8?

 

[pocco]

I think it's more a case that we have too many players in the starting 11 that are being played into form and Ole can't afford to do the same in MF with Donny.
I have no idea what kind of player Donny is because I've never seen him play while at Ajax. Was he brought in to replace Fred or Pogba, or simply just to add depth in those positions?
Is he a #10 or a #8?

In my opinion, he's a Thomas Muller/Dele Alli type player. A no.10 that actually often plays ahead of the CF and looks to link up deep in the final third.

 

[Zen86]

You'd think so but it was made clear in the summer that we have a transfer committee in place now and Ole is very much a part of it. Apparently he has the option to veto players, so why didn't he veto VDB?

According to The Athletic, Solskjaer was the one to convince him to come to United. He also said at the beginning of the season that he'd have a 'big part to play' this season.

I found our transfer business last summer a bit strange in general to be honest. From the outside, it looked very haphazard and opportunistic to me, rather than strategic recruitment. I'm sure Ole would've said VDB would have a big part to play either way, but yeah the stuff about him being the one to convince VDB to come onboard is a weird one.

I just can't rationalise this any other way, other than VDB being an absolute tw*t behind the scenes. It's bizarre.

 

[pocco]

I found our transfer business last summer a bit strange in general to be honest. From the outside, it looked very haphazard and opportunistic to me, rather than strategic recruitment. I'm sure Ole would've said VDB would have a big part to play either way, but yeah the stuff about him being the one to convince VDB to come onboard is a weird one.

I just can't rationalise this any other way, other than VDB being an absolute tw*t behind the scenes. It's bizarre.

I think Ole has been feeling the pressure this season and has refused to rest Bruno (who VDB would replace) as he has carried us, if we're being honest.

 

[Zen86]

I think Ole has been feeling the pressure this season and has refused to rest Bruno (who VDB would replace) as he has carried us, if we're being honest.

It's a possibility. I don't really see him as a Bruno replacement or alternative though, they're very different players and could complement each other well if given the chance. Time will tell I guess.

 

[pocco]

It's a possibility. I don't really see him as a Bruno replacement or alternative though, they're very different players and could complement each other well if given the chance. Time will tell I guess.

To be honest, I was against this signing from the start based on what I've seen of him. I don't think he naturally fits into our team at all, especially with the style of play. Maybe City or a team like that. But in our setup, I don't see him as one of the two deeper CMs and no.10 is the only place I see for him.

He is completely different from Bruno. He won't step up and try to take the game by the scruff of the neck. He's a cog that needs to be fitted in a smoothly running machine. Another Kagawa, basically.

 

[Hackman2210]

I was a big fan of the signing. But after watching recent performances of his I’m not so sure. Seems to almost hide from the ball at times. Needs a huge improvement in his second season to stop from being an absolute flop.