[JJ12]

He is more of an attacker that has the skillset to play box to box imo. I don't see why people limit him to central positions. His skill set says he can play on the flanks too in a similar way to Muller. At Ajax they had Ziyech there, so it was unnecessary. At United, I don't see why not for specific games.

People on here will start crying about round pegs in square holes but you are right.

 

[Adam-Utd]

He is more of an attacker that has the skillset to play box to box imo. I don't see why people limit him to central positions. His skill set says he can play on the flanks too in a similar way to Muller. At Ajax they had Ziyech there, so it was unnecessary. At United, I don't see why not for specific games.

He could certainly be a Dirk Kuyt style player but i'm not sure we will use him for that.

He will be used as an impact sub to begin with and rotating with Bruno when he needs a rest.

Hail mary midfield of Pogba/Bruno/DVB when chasing a game. We really needed another decent number 10 and that's Donny.

Every player we sign doesn't necessarily have to be better than the first team, just better than Lingard/Pereira/Mata.

 

[KirkDuyt]

He is more of an attacker that has the skillset to play box to box imo. I don't see why people limit him to central positions. His skill set says he can play on the flanks too in a similar way to Muller. At Ajax they had Ziyech there, so it was unnecessary. At United, I don't see why not for specific games.

While I'm not sure about youth teams, I think he has played a total of zero games on the flank as a professional player.

Might be wrong of course, but he's not a wingplayer if you ask me. He's not especially fast, not really a dribbler and I have never seen him cross a ball.

 

[Trex]

Van De beek is a ramdeuter a bit like Thomas muller,his best attributes are finding spaces in the final third to occupy, it could be a run in behind, a late run,or drifting wide to occupy spaces He is also an aggressive presser of the ball,on the ball he does all the basics right without being spectacular,he is capable of line breaking passes but very selective unlike Fernandes,can link up in tight spaces,he is capable of playing deeper but I feel Olé bought him for the AM role which is his preferred role... The kind of player united fans love for his attitude and work ethic

 

[tjb]

He could certainly be a Dirk Kuyt style player but i'm not sure we will use him for that.

He will be used as an impact sub to begin with and rotating with Bruno when he needs a rest.

Hail mary midfield of Pogba/Bruno/DVB when chasing a game. We really needed another decent number 10 and that's Donny.

Every player we sign doesn't necessarily have to be better than the first team, just better than Lingard/Pereira/Mata.

I agree with that. In fact, simply signing Sancho or another winger would also give us another attacking option on the bench. Imagine being Able to call up Fred, VDB and Greenwood off the bench. That for me has been the difference between ourselves and City/Liverpool. With any injuries, we would still have the options to maintain our form.

 

[Yagami]

Are you kidding me? He has come through the ranks at Ajax, which is one of the best academies in the world coaching wise. Most that come through that academy have brilliant technical ability.

Ajax do indeed have a great academy. That doesn't mean everyone from said academy will be great technically. Same with us and Barca. We've all produced techincal magicians, but we've also produced a lot of players who - while good enough to play high level football - aren't as good technically as others.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I agree with that. In fact, simply signing Sancho or another winger would also give us another attacking option on the bench. Imagine being Able to call up Fred, VDB and Greenwood off the bench. That for me has been the difference between ourselves and City/Liverpool. With any injuries, we would still have the options to maintain our form.

Yep, we showed in the 2nd half of the season we're more than capable of beating the best teams and putting together a good run of form, we just tailed off towards the end a little purely down to our players being run into the ground. Ole clearly doesn't trust Pereira/Lingard/Mata/James as much for whatever reasons, there's a big drop in quality from the first team.

 

[romufc]

Ajax do indeed have a great academy. That doesn't mean everyone from said academy will be great technically. Same with us and Barca. We've all produced techincal magicians, but we've also produced a lot of players who - while good enough to play high level football - aren't as good technically as others.

I agree, which is why I said most. From what I have seen of DOnny, he has alot more technical ability than Fellaini.

 

[Clermontois]

How much have you watched of vdB?

Can't give you a game count but I have seen him play the two previous CL years before the last. He never stood out to me, neither did de Jong, De Licht or Ziyech. Only Onana and the brazilian winger looked like above average players.

 

[macheda14]

Can't give you a game count but I have seen him play the two previous CL years before the last. He never stood out to me, neither did de Jong, De Licht or Ziyech. Only Onana and the brazilian winger looked like above average players.

Oh, so you don’t know what you’re talking about. Good to know.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Can't give you a game count but I have seen him play the two previous CL years before the last. He never stood out to me, neither did de Jong, De Licht or Ziyech. Only Onana and the brazilian winger looked like above average players.

Calling De Jong, De Ligt and Ziyech average seems like a stretch. Though average is a relative term.

David Neres on the other hand (the brazilian winger).. Now there's a player that should have the word average tattooed across the chest

 

[Oly Francis]

That's one of the point of him being signed in as a player being brought in from the bench if we need to score goals. You don't play balance in XI when you are behind in the scoreline just to be safe. I have even seen United played Pogba & Mata in pair of midfield when we were behind trying to get a goal.

That's why I don't understand why he decided to wait one year to get a sub spot for Man Utd when he had the opportunity to be a starter for a lot of clubs had he signed last season.

I don't really know how to rate this player. The VdB we saw last year was magnificent (so was De Jong). The player I saw this season was just average+. I'm curious to see how he evolves.

 

[Clermontois]

Oh, so you don’t know what you’re talking about. Good to know.

By all rights you should have left it where it was because from that response as little as I know it appears I know a bit more than you.

The player is just above average, anyone would struggle to give two great attributes he has.

Anyway I hope he does well here.

 

[macheda14]

By all rights you should have left it where it was because from that response as little as I know it appears I know a bit more than you.

The player is just above average, anyone would struggle to give two great attributes he has.

Anyway I hope he does well here.

You said you didn’t think Ziyech, De Jong, De Light were great, but Neres you liked. You were objectively wrong in your assessments. That’s why I said you knew nothing. It would be like me watching PSG and going hmm Neymar and Mbappe aren’t very good. Tell you who I do think is good Choupo-Moting.

 

[tjb]

That's why I don't understand why he decided to wait one year to get a sub spot for Man Utd when he had the opportunity to be a starter for a lot of clubs had he signed last season.

I don't really know how to rate this player. The VdB we saw last year was magnificent (so was De Jong). The player I saw this season was just average+. I'm curious to see how he evolves.

So a player choosing to go to Madrid instead of Spurs and start doesn't make sense to you. Wouldn't it be easier to perform high in training and in game and displace a bruno or Pogba than play well for spurs but be stuck there for the rest of your career as they demand 200m for you. Its ambition and belief in his abilities. Even lingard is a far more popular player than Son. Playing for United comes with a pedigree and attention. It's part of the reason players as good as Park, Butt, Fletcher, Ole and more were willing to play in rotation for United than other teams in which they would start.

 

[SATA]

Read that he’s arrived in Manchester and meeting his new teammates and Ole at Carrington today

 

[Oly Francis]

So a player choosing to go to Madrid instead of Spurs and start doesn't make sense to you. Wouldn't it be easier to perform high in training and in game and displace a bruno or Pogba than play well for spurs but be stuck there for the rest of your career as they demand 200m for you. Its ambition and belief in his abilities. Even lingard is a far more popular player than Son. Playing for United comes with a pedigree and attention. It's part of the reason players as good as Park, Butt, Fletcher, Ole and more were willing to play in rotation for United than other teams in which they would start.

He's 23, he needs to play as much as possible, it's a key age. The players you mention accepted this role 10+ years ago, it's not really relevant now. Moving to a different league to be a sub is a very risky move since it can take you ages to adapt with limited minutes on the pitch. I didn't really work out for great for Fred or Keita isn't it? It's not the 70's anymore, you'll get attention no matter what if you play in a big league, and you'll get far more attention as a starter in a good team than you'd get as a sub for Man Utd hoping you'll displace Pogba or Bruno in 2 years.

 

[Nero]

Read that he’s arrived in Manchester and meeting his new teammates and Ole at Carrington today

Yeah he trained today at Carrington. There are pictures on his instagram.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

That's why I don't understand why he decided to wait one year to get a sub spot for Man Utd when he had the opportunity to be a starter for a lot of clubs had he signed last season.

I don't really know how to rate this player. The VdB we saw last year was magnificent (so was De Jong). The player I saw this season was just average+. I'm curious to see how he evolves.

It's because Ajax asked him to stay one more year since they lost De Jong & De Ligt.

 

[Chief123]

Villa signing a Championship player, Ollie Watkins for £28m possibly upto £32m is making VDB look an absolute bargain!

 

[RooneyLegend]

You said you didn’t think Ziyech, De Jong, De Light were great, but Neres you liked. You were objectively wrong in your assessments. That’s why I said you knew nothing. It would be like me watching PSG and going hmm Neymar and Mbappe aren’t very good. Tell you who I do think is good Choupo-Moting.

Terrible analogy, Neres is great.

 

[macheda14]

Terrible analogy, Neres is great.

I was going extra but comparatively he isn’t near the level of the aforementioned.

 

[RooneyLegend]

I was going extra but comparatively he isn’t near the level of the aforementioned.

Wrong again, he's very near their level.

 

[Ekeke]

Can't give you a game count but I have seen him play the two previous CL years before the last. He never stood out to me, neither did de Jong, De Licht or Ziyech. Only Onana and the brazilian winger looked like above average players.

So... How do you think Ajax did so well in the competition the season before last if most of their team is average? Had some pretty good results in the group stages this season too.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Wrong again, he's very near their level.

Neres on the level of Ziyech and De Jong? Not for Ajax he isnt. Havent followed his international matches though.

 

[Clermontois]

So... How do you think Ajax did so well in the competition the season before last if most of their team is average? Had some pretty good results in the group stages this season too.

Their collectif is good but individually they are just above average, most of them. CL results in one season could be skewed though just look at Leipzig this year.

 

[bond19821982]

Poor kid hasn't even started a training match yet we crossed 6 pages on his performance.

You are done bro. Better submit a transfer request asap.

 

[AshRK]

So he has not even played a game and he has already been compared to Fellaini and termed an offensive McTominay and a Lingard 2.0. Our fans are opposite of arsenal, theirs are deluded and ours at least good number are outright negative.

 

[Ekeke]

Their collectif is good but individually they are just above average, most of them. CL results in one season could be skewed though just look at Leipzig this year.

You mean the Leipzig where top clubs wanted a bunch of their players? I dont think you can argue a team that goes that deep in the champions league did it by accident and doesnt have some star players, with the rest being good ones. Put it this way, we have some star players and we get knocked out of the europa league by Sevilla every couple of seasons.

 

[sglowrider]

Van De beek is a ramdeuter a bit like Thomas muller,his best attributes are finding spaces in the final third to occupy, it could be a run in behind, a late run,or drifting wide to occupy spaces He is also an aggressive presser of the ball,on the ball he does all the basics right without being spectacular,he is capable of line breaking passes but very selective unlike Fernandes,can link up in tight spaces,he is capable of playing deeper but I feel Olé bought him for the AM role which is his preferred role... The kind of player united fans love for his attitude and work ethic

Sounds like Alan Smith pre-injury.

 

[RashysTekkers]

The state of this thread. Some hot take merchants who probably never see him play other than a few youtube vids already sharpening their knives before he even played a single game (not even a friendly match) in Utd colours.

 

[Renegade]

So a player choosing to go to Madrid instead of Spurs and start doesn't make sense to you. Wouldn't it be easier to perform high in training and in game and displace a bruno or Pogba than play well for spurs but be stuck there for the rest of your career as they demand 200m for you. Its ambition and belief in his abilities. Even lingard is a far more popular player than Son. Playing for United comes with a pedigree and attention. It's part of the reason players as good as Park, Butt, Fletcher, Ole and more were willing to play in rotation for United than other teams in which they would start.

Bernado Silva moving to City with D.Silva & KDB to compete with, Mahrez the same with Sterling & Sane.Theres always been examples of players fancying themselves and challenging themselves to break into top teams with establish players in their position. With squads playing 60 games a season these days I don’t see why people think DVB won’t play much and has signed to be a “sub”.

 

[kouroux]

Bernado Silva moving to City with D.Silva & KDB to compete with, Mahrez the same with Sterling & Sane.Theres always been examples of players fancying themselves and challenging themselves to break into top teams with establish players in their position. With squads playing 60 games a season these days I don’t see why people think DVB won’t play much and has signed to be a “sub”.

Because many of football fans have been brainwashed by videogames (and even in them you still need to rotate a little) where you get to play your first 11 all the time. It's a squad game more than anything else

 

[snowkarl]

So a player choosing to go to Madrid instead of Spurs and start doesn't make sense to you. Wouldn't it be easier to perform high in training and in game and displace a bruno or Pogba than play well for spurs but be stuck there for the rest of your career as they demand 200m for you. Its ambition and belief in his abilities. Even lingard is a far more popular player than Son. Playing for United comes with a pedigree and attention. It's part of the reason players as good as Park, Butt, Fletcher, Ole and more were willing to play in rotation for United than other teams in which they would start.

Son is one of the most marketable players in the world largely thanks to the South Korean factor. So pretty silly statement.

 

[Clermontois]

You mean the Leipzig where top clubs wanted a bunch of their players? I dont think you can argue a team that goes that deep in the champions league did it by accident and doesnt have some star players, with the rest being good ones. Put it this way, we have some star players and we get knocked out of the europa league by Sevilla every couple of seasons.

Clubs want a bunch of any team's players that does not mean the players are not just above average.

I never said they did it by accident but I can tell you there was some good draws involved. Next year you can expect Leipzig or Ajax not to make it past the round of 16, simply put.

'Every couple of seasons' also proves my point about some years being skewed.

 

[tjb]

Because many of football fans have been brainwashed by videogames (and even in them you still need to rotate a little) where you get to play your first 11 all the time. It's a squad game more than anything else

Alot of people don't realize that the lack of quality we have had in depth is the reason why we have not been able to compete. Liverpool buying the shaqiris, Keita's Milners and Origis the reason they can compete consistently. City have gundogan, Bernardo silva and Gabriel Jesus. Even when Kdb went down for the season, they had Bernardo come in and win the league. It's not only about injuries, how many seasons on the last 5 years have we struggled at the end due to fatigue. We used to be able to win leagues in april and may partially because no other team could call upon Ole sherringham butt blomquist silvestre and brown off the bench. Believe it or not, most of those players would have been starting for the Leeds' and Newcastle' s of that time. Now we have had to call upon Pereira lingard James and Ighalo who may not start for the bottom teams in the league. That's the quality difference. Not in the Pogba's, Bruno's or Martial's, but in our depth.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Clubs want a bunch of any team's players that does not mean the players are not just above average.

I never said they did it by accident but I can tell you there was some good draws involved. Next year you can expect Leipzig or Ajax not to make it past the round of 16, simply put.

'Every couple of seasons' also proves my point about some years being skewed.

Ajax defeated Real and Juve on their way to the semi's hardly a good draw. They didnt exactly fluke their way last em either, they dominated them almost entirely and actually did the same with Spurs until that inexplicable (if slightly funny) collapse. They will obviously be inconsistent in reaching these stages since they cant retain any of their stars, but Frenkie de Jong, De Ligt and Ziyech are not slightly above average. The first 2 were probably the hottest prospects in world football in their age group and Ziyech was bought by Chelsea for a big sum of money. They did have average players too, like Lasse Schöne and Mazraoui combined with okay players like Tadic (and Donny in my opinion, but shhh) transcending themselves, but those first 3 are not average, period.

Now stop making me defend fecking Ajax, it makes me feel dirty.

 

[FattyFooty]

Van De beek is a ramdeuter a bit like Thomas muller,his best attributes are finding spaces in the final third to occupy, it could be a run in behind, a late run,or drifting wide to occupy spaces He is also an aggressive presser of the ball,on the ball he does all the basics right without being spectacular,he is capable of line breaking passes but very selective unlike Fernandes,can link up in tight spaces,he is capable of playing deeper but I feel Olé bought him for the AM role which is his preferred role... The kind of player united fans love for his attitude and work ethic

I don't know to much about Beek, but if he's anything close to Muller I'd love it.

 

[Offsideagain]

Dutch mate of mine is gutted Donny has left them. He reckons 15 goals a season and box to box running. I’ll take that if it happens. Let’s hope he’s not ‘coached’ too much and starts passing sideways.

 

[Clermontois]

Ajax defeated Real and Juve on their way to the semi's hardly a good draw. They didnt exactly fluke their way last em either, they dominated them almost entirely and actually did the same with Spurs until that inexplicable (if slightly funny) collapse. They will obviously be inconsistent in reaching these stages since they cant retain any of their stars, but Frenkie de Jong, De Ligt and Ziyech are not slightly above average. The first 2 were probably the hottest prospects in world football in their age group and Ziyech was bought by Chelsea for a big sum of money. They did have average players too, like Lasse Schöne and Mazraoui combined with okay players like Tadic (and Donny in my opinion, but shhh) transcending themselves, but those first 3 are not average, period.

Now stop making me defend fecking Ajax, it makes me feel dirty.

Fair enough on the bolded, I used to favour PSV myself from that league but the talent level in that league is just not as apparent anymore.

I take your point on Ziyech but after watching De Ligt and de Jong before and after they made moves my opinion is even stronger on those two. They are just above average players.