He was a culprit in stinking the place up, a lot of his touches weren't very good.
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He was a culprit in stinking the place up, a lot of his touches weren't very good.
Awful signing, average player. Got stick in the summer for saying it'd be a mistake to sign him but some are finally seeing what type of player he is, and it's not one we should've bought.
He'll have good games when we as a team play well, but he isn't the type of player who can play well on his own. Exactly the kind of player we shouldn't buy a la Mata, Kagawa and Mkhi. It's easy to identify these players so the fact that we wasted £40m on another one when we're supposed to have all these scouts boggles the mind.
He'll have good games when we as a team play well, but he isn't the type of player who can play well on his own. Exactly the kind of player we shouldn't buy a la Mata, Kagawa and Mkhi. It's easy to identify these players so the fact that we wasted £40m on another one when we're supposed to have all these scouts boggles the mind.
Not enough risk appetite for a #10 position and not enough defensive ability for a central midfield pivot. However he definitely has more defensive potential than he does risk appetite.
I love his technical abilities. I love how he has a mastery in body shaping and first touches. He is a press killer. Play him in a midfield 2 for easier games and a deeper left/right midfield role for a midfield 3.
Stop the nonsense comments about him. He is a beautiful footballer. He’s just not a #10 in tough games like Bruno.
I love his technical abilities. I love how he has a mastery in body shaping and first touches. He is a press killer. Play him in a midfield 2 for easier games and a deeper left/right midfield role for a midfield 3.
Stop the nonsense comments about him. He is a beautiful footballer. He’s just not a #10 in tough games like Bruno.
What lot of bull!!! He isn't a 10 but a b2b and "thanks" to Ole (blind?) wasn't played much.
He's not a good central midfielder either. Ole's making the right decision by not playing him there because he's too weak (amongst a lot of other deficiencies he has as a player).
Honestly, I haven't been impressed by his technical ability, not the same level as Blind on the ball.
Strange, he protects the ball better than all of our midfielders.
How does he cover the ball that much better? how many more fouls he drew than our other midfielders, how many more dribbles has he recorded? He's more a one touch player than someone who would take the responsibility and turn to create a chance. I like him because he's a very good system player who likes to play quick football and those we need too but some people here had absolutely unrealistic expectations of him coming here - the new signing syndrom, we've been here, hell even calling him our Pogba replacement who is totally different player..
I think eventually Donny will replace Scott in the packing order and will play alongside Fred, rather deeper in midfield as a b2b. Similar to more talented Herrera who was also more of no 10 in Bilbao but requirements at top clubs are higher so he ahd to go deeper and learn more how to defend...
Will play 25-30 games per season, perhaps in a diamond with one more midfielder to cover, think he's similar to Daley Blind, that he's perfectly drilled player with a bit different attributes though and slightly higher ceiling.
But very solid bench option when we stack up with more talented players like Grealish there, who has good attributes to change the tempo of the game a bit and get us results in certain games. Should easily get a lot of minutes from both Mata & Lingard, perhaps Pogba and McTominay. But unlike Scott he will be the bench player just about not good enough to start and Scott more just about good enough to be a squad player.
Time will tell though. He's got good mentality, and those player who work so hard can often overachieve in terms of their potential.
I think Pogba will be back in the team and that will reduce Donny´s chances even more, at least if we stick with the 4-2-3-1.
If you think about it, he is basically a replacement to Andreas Pereira.
An upgrade to that
which isn't that hard.
How to tell?
His playing positions and roles:
So in truth, we're just upgrading our bench.
He's not here to be starting 11 key player, just bits of player regularly getting minutes.
An upgrade to that
which isn't that hard.How to tell?
His playing positions and roles:
- CAM back-up, 2nd choice at best, shall play in cup games vs shit teams.
- CDM cover when the other better choices are rested/injured/suspended.
- LM & RM (few times Pereira play this two roles).
So in truth, we're just upgrading our bench.
He's not here to be starting 11 key player, just bits of player regularly getting minutes.
Reckon that a lot of us are being very harsh on him on the back of one poor game.
While for now, he may not look like a great #10; in the West Ham game, there were numerous occasions when he made a movement into a pocket of space and Scott McT (or the others) could not be bothered to find him. Also, I think the management missed a trick by not playing a 4-3-3 in the first half, where the system could have benefitted by having Pogba & DVB much closer to each other. Maybe it was because Scott McT is not the best passer in the world.
While for now, he may not look like a great #10; in the West Ham game, there were numerous occasions when he made a movement into a pocket of space and Scott McT (or the others) could not be bothered to find him. Also, I think the management missed a trick by not playing a 4-3-3 in the first half, where the system could have benefitted by having Pogba & DVB much closer to each other. Maybe it was because Scott McT is not the best passer in the world.
He's talented enough to work hard and fight for this place. And he will get plenty of games, we have tons of them literally.
I saw he didn't shield the ball and let Rice nicked it at least twice. Rice didn't even have to tackle, just run past him and get the ball after VDB received it.
Watching the first half again, I didn't think Donny was as bad as others. He wasn't good or great at all, didn't do anything special, more like just 5/10 performance or 4/10 at worst. Among the front four, him & Greenwood are the ones that didn't do too much foot wrong.
Whenever he made the run, none spot him. Only Maguire was able to spot his run once which the long ball was intercepted. He tried to play quick touch passes in that game. None of Scott, Pogba, Martial & Cavani were in sync with him. Only Greenwood the one was able to keep up with him.
It's like in Netherland national team, he became less effective in that no 10 role due to the players around him unlike at Ajax. Playing with Mata & Bruno would benefit his ability to find spaces and create spaces.
The only asset we can use him right now is just his simplicity to play quick simple passes in double pivot. He will remain ineffective if he keeps playing as a 10 with our current players without willingness to play more risky passes like Bruno.
Whenever he made the run, none spot him. Only Maguire was able to spot his run once which the long ball was intercepted. He tried to play quick touch passes in that game. None of Scott, Pogba, Martial & Cavani were in sync with him. Only Greenwood the one was able to keep up with him.
It's like in Netherland national team, he became less effective in that no 10 role due to the players around him unlike at Ajax. Playing with Mata & Bruno would benefit his ability to find spaces and create spaces.
The only asset we can use him right now is just his simplicity to play quick simple passes in double pivot. He will remain ineffective if he keeps playing as a 10 with our current players without willingness to play more risky passes like Bruno.
What a crock of sh1t post that is mate.
The guy has more champions league experience at the highest level than most of our team. Absolutely clueless mate.
We suddenly have genius analysis on him being a waste of money because he was subbed off at half time even though the whole team warranted being subbed off.
Pogba was more culpable in the first half than VDB and should have warranted coming off instead of VDB.
It’s literally the only game VDB has featured in where he didn’t shine, but that wasn’t entirely down to him. Now he’s suddenly a waste of money.
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Some of the posts on here are absolutely disgraceful.
One below par performance and he isnt good enough for Manutd anymore.
What part of all 10 outfield players had a shocker in the first half relates to Donny only? He couldn't get into the game because Greenwood, Cavani, Martial all ahead of him either didnt make a run, or were losing the ball.
Donny is a link player, he isnt going to get us playing, he is better at receiving the ball, no one could pass in the first half,
One below par performance and he isnt good enough for Manutd anymore.
What part of all 10 outfield players had a shocker in the first half relates to Donny only? He couldn't get into the game because Greenwood, Cavani, Martial all ahead of him either didnt make a run, or were losing the ball.
Donny is a link player, he isnt going to get us playing, he is better at receiving the ball, no one could pass in the first half,
Exactly this. The front line was as static as the goal posts. Literally no movement. Even Neville alluded to it.
Second half Rashford was making all the darting runs which was needed in the first half.
When this happens, the opposition pushes up. West Ham defenders were almost at the half way line whilst we had the ball, which is why when Rashy and Bruno came in, we found so much space. Greenwood and Martial need to run in behind alot more.
The starting line up balance just didn’t feel right either. Martial Cavani and Greenwood as a trio seems unbalanced. Cavani thrives off crosses which he isn’t going to get from either Martial or Greenwood.
Cavani needed crosses from Telles to use his strengths. But Bowen was running Telles ragged first half and pushing him back which restricted our attacks down the left. The balance of the team just didn’t work first half.
This is Caf being caf.
Typical of many of us to start labelling a perfectly good player as 'not good enough' after a poor 45 minutes. I mean come on people, anyone remember Fred in his first season
I feel he'll be a brilliant player for us, though not in a no. 10 role. If and when we manage to get rid of Pogba and sign a decent / very good DM then DVB will be the perfect player to play alongside him. He is very good on the ball, has an eye for a pass, can burst forward and has good work rate.
He'll be a bit more attacking version of Carrick in our midfield and give it the balance necessary to keep possession under pressure and start attacks. We just need to be patient with him and it'll surely help him to have Carrick as a part of the coaching staff
Typical of many of us to start labelling a perfectly good player as 'not good enough' after a poor 45 minutes. I mean come on people, anyone remember Fred in his first season
I feel he'll be a brilliant player for us, though not in a no. 10 role. If and when we manage to get rid of Pogba and sign a decent / very good DM then DVB will be the perfect player to play alongside him. He is very good on the ball, has an eye for a pass, can burst forward and has good work rate.
He'll be a bit more attacking version of Carrick in our midfield and give it the balance necessary to keep possession under pressure and start attacks. We just need to be patient with him and it'll surely help him to have Carrick as a part of the coaching staff
He is ok player, but with our tactic, style of play under Ole and other players around him it is not looking good atm.
In ideal world we would have one player as DM who is quick, can make some tackles and get the ball back but also is good passer between the lines so he can start our attacks with those passes. McT and Fred are good at that first part but their passing ability is very weak and most of the time they are passing it to the opponents. Matic passing is better then those 2 (at least it used to be) but his legs are gone and he is not able to hold it at his own anymore. So it is difficult to play only one of those 3 players and than put VDB / Pogba and Bruno to have the perfect balance. Matic needs to have someone to run alongside him if someone dribble past him so only partners for him are Fred or McT and that leaves us with only one slot for Bruno and we do not have that creative spark with him being the only one player that can do sth. Fred or Scott can play as the only DM and deal with some dribbles because the have the legs to get back and help our defence in time but because of their passing they need someone to cover it so each of them need to play with someone who is in the same level and can cover their mistakes thats why they look the best playing together. If only one of them plays and we have Pogba or VDB a little further is dangerous when McT or Fred are trying to pass because every bad pass leaves our defenders unprotected. Pogba and VdB are not so stong in defence and preer to play closer to Bruno than DM so we don't often play with that combination. For Pogba or VDB sake and our team in a whole we need someone who can play there alone and be damn good passer of the ball until then we are not bringing the best of Pogba or Vdb and our team not be able to move to another level. Right now with their limitations to play in that position in midfield 2 Pogba at least try to do sth VDB is not losing the ball but it does not help us with anything, so until we change manager or buy that perfect DM he is gonna be bench warmer at best.
Knowing what we are missing and the way we play right now it looks like a pointless transfer. But I hope I am wrong and he gonna show us he can do more than just be good first touch short passer.
In ideal world we would have one player as DM who is quick, can make some tackles and get the ball back but also is good passer between the lines so he can start our attacks with those passes. McT and Fred are good at that first part but their passing ability is very weak and most of the time they are passing it to the opponents. Matic passing is better then those 2 (at least it used to be) but his legs are gone and he is not able to hold it at his own anymore. So it is difficult to play only one of those 3 players and than put VDB / Pogba and Bruno to have the perfect balance. Matic needs to have someone to run alongside him if someone dribble past him so only partners for him are Fred or McT and that leaves us with only one slot for Bruno and we do not have that creative spark with him being the only one player that can do sth. Fred or Scott can play as the only DM and deal with some dribbles because the have the legs to get back and help our defence in time but because of their passing they need someone to cover it so each of them need to play with someone who is in the same level and can cover their mistakes thats why they look the best playing together. If only one of them plays and we have Pogba or VDB a little further is dangerous when McT or Fred are trying to pass because every bad pass leaves our defenders unprotected. Pogba and VdB are not so stong in defence and preer to play closer to Bruno than DM so we don't often play with that combination. For Pogba or VDB sake and our team in a whole we need someone who can play there alone and be damn good passer of the ball until then we are not bringing the best of Pogba or Vdb and our team not be able to move to another level. Right now with their limitations to play in that position in midfield 2 Pogba at least try to do sth VDB is not losing the ball but it does not help us with anything, so until we change manager or buy that perfect DM he is gonna be bench warmer at best.
Knowing what we are missing and the way we play right now it looks like a pointless transfer. But I hope I am wrong and he gonna show us he can do more than just be good first touch short passer.
He’s nothing like Carrick in fairness, he’s a decent player Blind level player but not really a specialist at anything. If the justification for his signing has developed from Bruno backup to Pogba replacement then it’s a problem because he’s nowhere near Pogbas level for me.
I don't see why people bother posting after matches, they clearly let their blind rage effect them.
A lot of mention of him swapping positions with Pogba but if Bruno is injured/rested and we are playing him and Pogba, I actually think a 433 would suit both of them better. I don't think Ole will be changing the system around drastically unless something was to happen to Bruno though.
Except I've had the same opinion on Donny for years. He wasn't impressive in that Ajax side and he's not impressive for Holland.
He has that champions league experience, but it means diddly squat. Many, many average players have champions league experience.
No rage at all. I said the same when was at Ajax, I've said the same when he's scored here, and I'm saying the same now. I'm not knee-jerk on how I rate players in general, and I was talking about Donny in general rather than his isolated performance the other day.
You're deserved to your opinion, I wasn't only saying it towards you - look at the Fred thread also. People just decide somebody is rubbish after 1 bad game or mistake, it's a bit much.
He didn't have a great half against West Ham that's fair to say, but I think you have to give credit to West Ham also. Only when the game opened up 2nd half did we start to get some space and they clearly tired out massively by the 60th.
DVB is a great technician, he's got a solid first touch and controls the ball really well - he just lacks that bit of athleticism for a team that doesn't play great as a team. He clearly needs the structure of a well drilled team to be properly effective.
I prefer him as an 8 so far, alongside Fred with Bruno ahead he's looked pretty good. He can utilise his control and quick passing a lot better there.
DVB actually reminds me the most of Scholes. Both a bit slow and lighweight, but very quick in the head, anticipates tackles nicely and can control and move the ball on before even getting tackled. If we played Scholes as a number 10 he'd struggle just as much with 5 at the back and 2 DM's.
Sorry to drag you-know-who into this but if French midfielder is to leave. Could this be fortunate for Donny?
People have said that he isn't a number 10 and that's he's a box-to-box player.
As things stand, we could have
Fred-----VDB
or
McTominay--------VDB
If Grealish comes he could play where VDB plays but I don't think that would suit United and it would be better to have a high-quality DM (don't ask me who)
New DM----------------VDB
I think VBD will have to prove he can be a week-in-week-out United start first of all though as he's been tepid so far.
People have said that he isn't a number 10 and that's he's a box-to-box player.
As things stand, we could have
Fred-----VDB
Bruno
or
McTominay--------VDB
Bruno
If Grealish comes he could play where VDB plays but I don't think that would suit United and it would be better to have a high-quality DM (don't ask me who)
New DM----------------VDB
Bruno
I think VBD will have to prove he can be a week-in-week-out United start first of all though as he's been tepid so far.
RB Leipzig 3:2 Man Utd
Might be a good player in there and it's his first season and he's not starting etc but he looks like a headless chicken every time he plays. It's like he lacks any awareness of the position he's supposed to be playing in.
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He reeks of being a 'system player' and pretty average on individual quality. In the absence of any kind of patterns to our forward play, with 'get me a goal lads' seemingly the prevailing tactic, he looks lost.
5 mins of brightness when he came on there was a moment the ball fell to him 12-14 yards out on his left at an angle, hit the thing, take a chance, he opted to pull the ball back, and the chance was lost.
Unless he starts to back and express himself he will struggle to hold a place.
Unless he starts to back and express himself he will struggle to hold a place.
Thought he was a big help when he came on. Just want us to play him in central midfield next to a defensive mid, behind Bruno. And then get a coach who knows what he's doing to get the best out of them, as Ole won't do anything more than a top 4 fight, ever.
What does he actually do?
He is the Dutch Kagawa.
Dutch Cleverley
Yep sums it up well. He seems to lack the bite to finish a move and just wants to play it on again at times and it showed there, definitely needed to hit it.
To me it looks completely the opposite. He's looking around and wondering wtf everyone else is doing, why aren't they moving into space, why aren't they creating angles for passes, why are they always running away into positions only ridiculous passes can find them with, and why aren't they passing me the ball so I can move it through midfield. He is a relatively passive player but he finds space very well. We just play with so little structure that it's impossible to exploit that unless you're a hollywood passer.
This. He's clearly an intelligent player, who's willing to work hard for the team and he's got bit of a fight in him.
Shame we have this insane insistence on playing a 'no 10' aka second striker/midfielder-who-basically-does-no-midfielding. Goes back to the days of Rooney, Fellani, Lingard, to an extent Bruno and now VDB.
When your managers have no interest in controlling possession or the midfield and you have talented players, we end up like we do today. Enough technique, individual brilliance and effort on show but just overall disorganisation.
What? With the exception of today perhaps, he's been quite good whenever he's featured.
Donny's my dude but he did the square root of feck all tonight.
VDB Fred and Greenwood are my first 3 Names in team . Fred pitbull , VDB class , Greenwood best united player by far.
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