[bsCallout]

Very tidy player but simply needs to be more aggressive in his play, at United. Taking shots in dangerous positions and playing the ball forward as often as he can. He doesn't do those things.

He's so tidy because he dare not make a mess.

I'm sure he'll be a very good player for us, more so if we get a proper CDM so we dont need to play the double pivot.

 

[bsCallout]

Enlighten me? What did he do wrong last night?

by the way being in the majority on here often shows it’s not a good thing..

What a weird comment 'being in the majority on here . . '

Oh sure thing edgelord.

Oh and the 'what did he do wrong' is entirely the point. He did nothing wrong but he dare not do anything particularly good or progressive.

 

[Adam-Utd]

What a weird comment 'being in the majority on here . . '

Oh sure thing edgelord.

you brought it up by saying what “everybody else” thinks. This forum is hardly full of football geniuses, I can name about 4/5 posters that seem to know what they’re talking about.

You’ve still not explained what you meant, I’m waiting eagerly!

 

[Coops73]

Thought he played well yesterday, barely put a foot wrong and that flick to Mata was magic, his first time passing is so crisp at times, he’s definitely going to get more and more games.

 

[Borys]

His style of play reminds me a lot of typical single pivot. Very reliable passer, always finds the safe option, right weight of the pass, positions himself well to be available for the pass, good technique and very calm on the ball. Such a shame he can only pass short to mid range distance, because you can always tell what is he going to do.

I think he is a decent option for the CM, somehow limited due to lack of passing range and he's no ball carrier. On paper it puts him level with Fred and McTominay who have similar drawbacks.

I can see why people think he should be more brave/adventurous with the ball, however I suspect our midfield duo is told to keep it simple most of the time. I don't think this is the way forward but this happens for all our midfielders, just see what happens when Pogba plays deep.

 

[bsCallout]

you brought it up by saying what “everybody else” thinks. This forum is hardly full of football geniuses, I can name about 4/5 posters that seem to know what they’re talking about.

You’ve still not explained what you meant, I’m waiting eagerly!

Well really weird. So you know 4/5 posters that agree with you, so ofcourse they must be the ones in the know and the smart ones.

Also note, I didnt use the fact that most are posting the same thing as a way of proving it right, I was simply highlighting that you've completely missed the point any of them were making.

I did explain what I meant.

 

[VP89]

But you’re opinion is objectively wrong. That’s why he is playing less than his peers.

No, it isn't. I've explained with examples too.

Learn what an opinion is.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Well really weird. So you know 4/5 posters that agree with you, so ofcourse they must be the ones in the know and the smart ones.

Also note, I didnt use the fact that most are posting the same thing as a way of proving it right, I was simply highlighting that you've completely missed the point any of them were making.

I did explain what I meant.

And yet again you fail to explain the point after the 3rd time of asking. How many posts does it take? That’s pretty weird...

 

[Adam-Utd]

@Borys watch the highlights from the pre season game against villa. He can hit a long 30/40 yard pass if it’s on, he just only takes it if it’s the best option.

our team have a habit of choosing the Hollywood pass and ignoring the simple 10-15 yard pass in front of them. Sometimes it works, but often we overturn the ball and her counter attacked.

you only need to see the city game for an example of that - playing the way DVB does may not be as flashy but it’s a much more controlled style which is what we need sometimes.

the main issue is last night he just rarely had any good options in behind, lingard and mata all want to come to feet, Greenwood rarely made any runs at all.

I feel like a lot of fans want him to be identical to Fernandes, but then also don’t want him to be as sloppy either? You can’t really have both.

 

[Kuba]

One of the worst posts I’ve ever read.

you blame him for others missing their shots?! He couldn’t have played a more perfect touch for mata to score. Thank god it wasn’t donny missing that chance as all you lunatics would be saying he should never play again

I didnt say it was his fault they missed their chances, because everyone knows they needs 4 or 5 to score the problem was he was not creating them for those players as he he never does except for few.

When parents are angry at The Kids that for The whole weekend they did NOT do their homework, did NOT clean the room etc

They were just chilling and do NOTHING.

Are Kids allowed to asked? Why are you mad I did nothing wrong !

But that does not mean they do something productive everybody is expecting.

If you dont understand that and what everybody is saying there is no point trying to explain it to you. Go make a Group chat with those 4/5 wise mans then and let us have our opinions.

Good Day

 

[spiriticon]

If you are 1-0 up in the last 20 minutes and need to keep possession, you need players like Donny.

I think he needs to be coached to take risks. Maybe his play is a bit too safe in the final third still and he isn't producing enough big moments in training, hence why he is not started as often.

 

[Ash_G]

Thought he played well yesterday, barely put a foot wrong and that flick to Mata was magic, his first time passing is so crisp at times, he’s definitely going to get more and more games.

Agreed and I think the better the players he plays with the more he'll be able to contribute as so much of what he's doing is about smart movement and interplay. I'm not saying he doesn't need to try and directly impact games more himself but right not I really can't see why he can't play alongside Fred against a lot of our opponents. He'll keep the ball moving well, help us retain possession and I do think he works hard for team.

Where we control games his ability and willingness to make runs off the ball is just what we need as too much of our attack is people wanting the ball to feet, players don't create space well and he can help with us. We know that Bruno often drops deeper and will work hard off the ball and so I think he could cover a situation where VDB pushed on and we lost the ball partiularly as I think having VDB in the team might mean we don't need AWB to contribute as much in attack and can maybe be a bit more cautious which might suit him as well.

 

[Krits]

He definitely has the technical ability. But doesn’t yet have the confidence to dictate play with it. The difference between him and Bruno is, when Bruno came in he told the players around him what he needed them to do to make his play dangerous. He would dictate others to play a certain way. Which is why he influences play so much. People around him come alive when he is on the ball, because that is what he demands. VDB doesn’t do that, so the players don’t show him much options. He ends up having to play it 5-10 yards along the ground. If he believes in himself that he can dictate play, I think there is a player in him.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I didnt say it was his fault they missed their chances, because everyone knows they needs 4 or 5 to score the problem was he was not creating them for those players as he he never does except for few.

When parents are angry at The Kids that for The whole weekend they did NOT do their homework, did NOT clean the room etc

They were just chilling and do NOTHING.

Are Kids allowed to asked? Why are you mad I did nothing wrong !

But that does not mean they do something productive everybody is expecting.

If you dont understand that and what everybody is saying there is no point trying to explain it to you. Go make a Group chat with those 4/5 wise mans then and let us have our opinions.

Good Day

Are you the riddler?

so he didn’t create a chance for mata? Or Dan James? He is playing central midfielder who’s job is to feed the 4 players ahead of him - he did that perfectly well.

do you expect the same performances from matic of Fred? No.

 

[MetoTTT]

MOTM for me yesterday. I can't believe we didn't sell him because he didn't make "that pass". Joke aside, I think VdB, Tuanzebe and Bailly need to get a run of games. They deserve it. VdB could be CM even RM and do better than some of the players who played there. His confidence and self belief are shot right now. Still played very well.

 

[Borys]

@Borys watch the highlights from the pre season game against villa. He can hit a long 30/40 yard pass if it’s on, he just only takes it if it’s the best option.

our team have a habit of choosing the Hollywood pass and ignoring the simple 10-15 yard pass in front of them. Sometimes it works, but often we overturn the ball and her counter attacked.

you only need to see the city game for an example of that - playing the way DVB does may not be as flashy but it’s a much more controlled style which is what we need sometimes.

the main issue is last night he just rarely had any good options in behind, lingard and mata all want to come to feet, Greenwood rarely made any runs at all.

I feel like a lot of fans want him to be identical to Fernandes, but then also don’t want him to be as sloppy either? You can’t really have both.

I've seen him going long against RB if I remember correctly, some good passes but clearly this isn't his strong attribute.

What's important is you can see how good he is when he has to play it quick, some really good moves from him yesterday. He'll not influence the game from conservative double pivot (like I call our midfield duo), but this applies to Pogba, Fred, or Matic as well in the system we play.

 

[Adam-Utd]

He definitely has the technical ability. But doesn’t yet have the confidence to dictate play with it. The difference between him and Bruno is, when Bruno came in he told the players around him what he needed them to do to make his play dangerous. He would dictate others to play a certain way. Which is why he influences play so much. People around him come alive when he is on the ball, because that is what he demands. VDB doesn’t do that, so the players don’t show him much options. He ends up having to play it 5-10 yards along the ground. If he believes in himself that he can dictate play, I think there is a player in him.

While that’s true Bruno has never played CM. Playing in the 10 is a lot different than playing in a double pivot in oles 4231.

its clear he doesn’t want them to go wondering too much and stick in a structure protecting the back 4. For me he played this role very well. He did his defensive work perfectly, yet created the best chance of the match too.

I really think people are being overly critical. They wanted a 10/10 performance or they’ll never be happy.

it reminds me of the complaints pogba used to get, they expect him to be the controlling midfielder, but then also be creating and assisting - that just doesn’t happen from deep in our team.

 

[Adam-Utd]

I've seen him going long against RB if I remember correctly, some good passes but clearly this isn't his strong attribute.

What's important is you can see how good he is when he has to play it quick, some really good moves from him yesterday. He'll not influence the game from conservative double pivot (like I call our midfield duo), but this applies to Pogba, Fred, or Matic as well.

What I mean is he’s more than capable of doing it - but yes give him the choice of a shorter more controlled pass or a 40 yard long ball and he’ll choose the shorter pass every time.

this isn’t “wrong” it’s just a different style. He’s come from Ajax in a tight 433 formation that rarely has anybody 10 yards away from the ball. He always had an option and they’d build up quickly through midfield with short passes then feed it wide to neres/ziyech and he’d steam into the box.

right now he’s trying to adjust, you can tell he’s still thinking Ajax.

if ole trusts him enough to give him 4/5 games in a row I’m sure we’d see him be more confident and try riskier passes with less worry of being criticised.

 

[Krits]

While that’s true Bruno has never played CM. Playing in the 10 is a lot different than playing in a double pivot in oles 4231.

its clear he doesn’t want them to go wondering too much and stick in a structure protecting the back 4. For me he played this role very well. He did his defensive work perfectly, yet created the best chance of the match too.

I really think people are being overly critical. They wanted a 10/10 performance or they’ll never be happy.

it reminds me of the complaints pogba used to get, they expect him to be the controlling midfielder, but then also be creating and assisting - that just doesn’t happen from deep in our team.

I wasn’t trying to be overtly critical. I think he did well as well, but I think his talents aren’t being shown yet. But it just feels like he gets crowded out by his own team mates because he isn’t dictating them what to do. If he wants to be successful here, I think those instructions will have to either have to come from OGS or he starts hammering in to his team mates to make some dangerous runs when he is on the ball. That’s the single biggest reason I feel Bruno has turned our team around. He demands that his team mates make runs. I really feel like VDB technically is pretty sorted. He isn’t an iniesta, but I don’t think you need to be at that level to influence games.
Still early days for him here. Some people take longer to build chemistry with a team than others.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Which he did fine.

As I have said elsewhere

There is no story here

Needs to force his way into the top team in the premiership, it shouldn't be and isn't easy

 

[BusbyMalone]

Think he played well yesterday in a deeper role. This is something I said in another thread, but this notion that we have too many players like him and that's why he hasn't played is nonsense. The guy's too versatile to be pigeonholed into one position. He can play in a few areas on the pitch which is why he should definitely be getting more games. There's no reason why he shouldn't.

 

[Poborsky's hair]

He's got a good movement around the box, good dummy and a flick in him but that's not good enough at all. All of our academy players learn this. The problem is with the general play. He can't dribble, his passing from deep is limited. If he was a ball winner, I wouldn't mind that but he seems pretty slow and soft too. I am sure he will get better but so far it looks like a needless signing and money thrown out of the window.

Thing is we seem to overlook how the player's performances are affected by the system in which the player plays. Mkhytaryan, Kagawa, VdB, perhaps, good system players for dominant playing teams in easier leagues. Maybe we should take that into consideration as well next time we go for a player. Evaluating player's individual quality better. You never know if you're getting a new Erricksen or de Light or a Daavy Klaasen, so many good palyers but so many not good enough... at least Erricksen and de Light lookd topped players at the time.

 

[1988]

A very good passer and technical fine player. He'll come good eventually. I'm not sure why Solskjær haven't made use of him more but I guess there must be a good reason. Like settling in.

 

[KirkDuyt]

Donny must be one of those rare players that has accumulated more performance thread pages than minutes played in the league.

 

[FrankDrebin]

His passing range is a real eye-opener. Extremely limited.

 

[bsCallout]

And yet again you fail to explain the point after the 3rd time of asking. How many posts does it take? That’s pretty weird...

Feel free to read my posts. Including to you.

 

[acnumber9]

No, it isn't. I've explained with examples too.

Learn what an opinion is.

His peers are Bruno and Pogba. He’s given objectively less than them. Those are the players he’s competing for a place with. Opinions can be wrong.

 

[Dec9003]

I think he played well honestly, he kept things moving and some of his one touch play was fantastic. Obviously he has a long way to go and he shouldn’t start all the time for us yet, but I think he’s a promising player.

 

[AshRK]

I hope I am right on the fact that I have a strong feeling he will become a regular for us next season amd start impacting games more. Let ua not forget it took 6 months for Fabinho to find his feet and Klopp drafted him slowly. Bernardo silva is another example. People should not write VDB off. Ole doesn't want to shake the balance of the team right now when we are joint top. But I can see VDB getting more chances as the season progresses.

 

[Bebestation]

I really liked him at Ajax becaus he seemed to be playing 'off' the balls of tadic, ziyech, de Jong and the other players during that CL season.

For some reason alot of United fans seem to think he is the second coming of Frankie De Jong and can play deeper and be the one who plays deeper setting up chances for other players when it was regularly more the other way around - he was a goalscorer finding himself off the chances created by others.

Him playing so deep and his short passing wont do anything for us except maybe improve his overall gameplay - however, if he is going to be a success here he is really only going to be that goal scorer from attacking midfield/SS/False9 that is able to analyse pockets of space like Thomas Muller did because the CM version isnt going to be good enough.

The fact that Ole bought on Matic and moved Van De Beek in between the 2 strikers of Rashford and Martial gives me hope that Van De Beek is being protected, being built to improve his weaknesses before he even really starts so we can go on but that world class CDM that may allow for someone like Van De Beek to really go out roaming more freely whilst also playing a creative players to pick him up too.

 

[VP89]

His peers are Bruno and Pogba. He’s given objectively less than them. Those are the players he’s competing for a place with. Opinions can be wrong.

Pogba has had multiple performances this season where he's been poor when deployed in the middle of the park, be it Palace, Brighton or Arsenal. His peers also include Mctominay, who was poor vs City and Villa of late in the league. One could also make the case of VDB playing inside right on the attacking midfield, and when his peers include Dan fecking James and Mason Greenwood (who has had a poor season), its clear that he could have had more opportunities than he's been given.

I'd trust the coaching staff evaluation point if it wasn't a bunch of newbs who make questionable selections more frequently than any other top side. Ole has done so much good but I do wonder whether his stubbornness of Lindelof and Maguire and also Mctominay and Fred in big games (which clearly doesn't work) is a hinderance.

 

[acnumber9]

Pogba has had multiple performances this season where he's been poor when deployed in the middle of the park, be it Palace, Brighton or Arsenal. His peers also include Mctominay, who was poor vs City and Villa of late in the league. One could also make the case of VDB playing inside right on the attacking midfield, and when his peers include Dan fecking James and Mason Greenwood (who has had a poor season), its clear that he could have had more opportunities than he's been given.

I'd trust the coaching staff evaluation point if it wasn't a bunch of newbs who make questionable selections more frequently than any other top side. Ole has done so much good but I do wonder whether his stubbornness of Lindelof and Maguire and also Mctominay and Fred in big games (which clearly doesn't work) is a hinderance.

He has, but he’s also done more than Van De Beek.

If you want to include McTominay we can, he’s also shown more than Van De Beek. You could also make the case of him playing as an inside right, except for the fact he hasn’t once done it for United. What about right back?

 

[VP89]

He has, but he’s also done more than Van De Beek.

If you want to include McTominay we can, he’s also shown more than Van De Beek. You could also make the case of him playing as an inside right, except for the fact he hasn’t once done it for United. What about right back?

In the middle of the park, they haven't. It's just a case of playing more games and therefore having better moments to show for it.

McTominay has simply played more, thats all. If VDB played like how Scott did vs Villa, he'd be benched for 2 months. That's my point, he could have been given more opportunities than we've seen.

 

[acnumber9]

In the middle of the park, they haven't. It's just a case of playing more games and therefore having better moments to show for it.

McTominay has simply played more, thats all. If VDB played like how Scott did vs Villa, he'd be benched for 2 months. That's my point, he could have been given more opportunities than we've seen.

They’ve earned more opportunities. Making up hyperbolic statements isn’t strengthening your argument.

 

[VP89]

They’ve earned more opportunities. Making up hyperbolic statements isn’t strengthening your argument.

No, they haven't. Pogba had a string of very poor performances this season before being dropped. McTominay has had one very good game and other average performances all season. Dan James has been pretty shite all season, and so has Greenwood. There is no hyperbole, I've named fixtures where VDB has played well and I've named players and fixtures where he could have had opportunities over.

Saying shit like "your opinion is wrong" doesn't strengthen your side either. You suggest VDB wouldn't look out of place in the Championship, and yet you gloss over the fact that there are numerous fixtures where his peers have underperformed, 1-2 showing Championship form themselves. So yes, going back to the original reply, it's extremely harsh.

 

[acnumber9]

No, they haven't. Pogba had a string of very poor performances this season before being dropped. McTominay has had one very good game and other average performances all season. Dan James has been pretty shite all season, and so has Greenwood. There is no hyperbole, I've named fixtures where VDB has played well and I've named players and fixtures where he could have had opportunities over.

Saying shit like "your opinion is wrong" doesn't strengthen your side either. You suggest VDB wouldn't look out of place in the Championship, and yet you gloss over the fact that there are numerous fixtures where his peers have underperformed, 1-2 showing Championship form themselves. So yes, going back to the original reply, it's extremely harsh.

Dan James and Mason Greenwood are not his peers. I never suggested he wouldn’t look of place in the Championship, I said if he signed from there nobody would bat an eyelid at the fact he isn’t being picked based on his performances. Learn to read.

 

[VP89]

Dan James and Mason Greenwood are not his peers. I never suggested he wouldn’t look of place in the Championship, I said if he signed from there nobody would bat an eyelid at the fact he isn’t being picked based on his performances. Learn to read.

I said he could have been given an opportunity in their roles, so for the basis of this debate, yes they are his peers - learn to read.

And yes, the bold point isn't exactly much different -the point is extremely harsh especially when you consider the certain performances that Pogba and McTominay have fielded in some games this season.

 

[Hammondo]

He didn't say he was only suited to playing in compact teams. What he said was that he couldn't understand why United signed VdB when they already had the best #10 in the world in Fernandes. He went on to say that Donny can play as a #6 but it must be a compact pitch. I think we can say the same about a number of our players in that regard.

Best in the world?

 

[acnumber9]

I said he could have been given an opportunity in their roles, so for the basis of this debate, yes they are his peers - learn to read.

And yes, the bold point isn't exactly much different -the point is extremely harsh especially when you consider the certain performances that Pogba and McTominay have fielded in some games this season.

They aren’t though, because he’s never played there. We’ve played Rashford there recently so there’s another player doing more than him. Might as well say he could play up front.

 

[Monkey bus]

From what I’ve seen of him at United, which is obviously very little, he looks very reliable so I think theres certainly a place for him long term. Perhaps not in the midfield as it currently stands but let’s see how that takes shape when Pogba leaves.

Initial impressions are a little bit of a Carrick type player (not saying as good as) who won’t be spectacular but will hardly ever concede possession and will allow flair players to go and do what they do. He does pose more of a goal threat than Carrick though.

Very interested to see how he progresses with us.