[Bobski]

But Wijnaldum was better defensively to go with it. Van De Beek doesn’t have that in his game.

And is quick and physically dynamic which Donny is not.

 

[Ted Lasso]

This Utd team lacks character, leadership and fight, as well as ability. I don't know how you overcome that by building around guys like Donny and Lindelof who might be technically capable but have been badly lacking the other side during their time in England.

Figured stating that Lindelof and DVB wouldn't be regular starters was as defined as it could get that the team won't be built around them but they'll have a lot more utility in them than before.

We didn't build a team around OShea or Park, but they were certainly involved in the best United sides of recent history.

Donny seemed pretty capable helping Ajax to a CL semi final. And Lindelof has likewise looked pretty decent for Sweden. I'd say they could flourish in such part time roles under the right manager and most importantly a team of starters that isn't littered w toxic cliques.

 

[Abraxas]

It's hard to get used to the pace needed if you don't get to play. Smart players will find a way to adapt to the league once they get their minutes in.

Silva and Mata weren't exactly blessed with pace and strength and yet they were able to look like world class players in the league.

The comparison isn't very instructive though, because being small and average/slow in speed were specific weaknesses balanced against quality they had in many departments.

What are Donny's qualities? Nobody knows at this level. It's not as if he's poor just because he's slow and weak, he's poor because he's poor. There are about 10 reasons why. Seems disingenuous to point at somebody like Silva and say he did it despite being small. VDB doesn't have a tenth of his ability, that is the real issue here.

 

[Charles Miller]

If Ten Hag is going to play 4-2-1-3, Bruno Fernandes is the 1. Maybe he could use VDB in the double pivot.

 

[phelans shorts]

If Ten Hag is going to play 4-2-1-3, Bruno Fernandes is the 1. Maybe he could use VDB in the double pivot.

Bruno may be the biggest question mark as to how he fits under the new manager, him as the 1 won’t be as set in stone as it has been. Especially given Donny has shown zero ability to play deeper.

 

[Charles Miller]

Bruno may be the biggest question mark as to how he fits under the new manager, him as the 1 won’t be as set in stone as it has been. Especially given Donny has shown zero ability to play deeper.

I Might be wrong but i think VDB played in the double pivot at Ajax under Ten Hag. You can use that kind of player deeper if you defend with the system with high pressure.

 

[The_Midfielder]

Bruno may be the biggest question mark as to how he fits under the new manager, him as the 1 won’t be as set in stone as it has been. Especially given Donny has shown zero ability to play deeper.

Bruno will play as the 1
You don't leave out your goal scoring machine

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

I'm sure ETH is aware that DVB might not actually be up to the premier league, no matter how good he thought he was for him at Ajax, no doubt he'll give him a try, but he could easily be sold still, or end up on the bench again pretty quickly, as it seems a big stretch to think he's going to suddenly become a key player for us.

 

[DJ_21]

I'm sure ETH is aware that DVB might not actually be up to the premier league, no matter how good he thought he was for him at Ajax, no doubt he'll give him a try, but he could easily be sold still, or end up on the bench again pretty quickly, as it seems a big stretch to think he's going to suddenly become a key player for us.

I’d keep VDB around just for a squad option. If Bruno gets injured or is of form we don’t have a replacement unless we sign an AM which is unlikely.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

I’d keep VDB around just for a squad option. If Bruno gets injured or is of form we don’t have a replacement unless we sign an AM which is unlikely.

If he's good enough I would, but there's nothing really to suggest he is so far, and anyway he has already shown his discontent for sitting on the bench, so him been some sort of backup player isn't really an option, and neither should it be given what he cost.

 

[edcunited1878]

What VDB has to give him a shot, outside of playing for and knowing EtH is, is his technical ability on the ball, vision, and knowing how to play for others within a defined system (i.e. discipline). Whether or not he's physically up to the challenge is TBD, but so far he's had his issues.

If you can't pass, don't run/move for your teammates, and have a hard time making the right decisions which is half the battle between attempting it and doing it successfully, then you shouldn't be in the squad.

 

[phelans shorts]

Bruno will play as the 1
You don't leave out your goal scoring machine

How did Agüero do in his first 6 months under Pep?

EDIT: the point is, much better players than Bruno have been given the cold shoulder in football because they don’t fit what the managers want. Bruno is a high risk player and most top level managers won’t accept it. It’s why he got his first major move at 26 and still sits on the bench at international level.

 

[edcunited1878]

If he's good enough I would, but there's nothing really to suggest he is so far, and anyway he has already shown his discontent for sitting on the bench, so him been some sort of backup player isn't really an option, and neither should it be given what he cost.

Naby Keita cost Liverpool $53M pounds and he's happily on the bench and been outplayed. If he can have a bench role, then so can DVB, if he's up to the task under EtH and is deemed squad worthy by EtH.

 

[Idxomer]

Bruno and Donny as 8’s with a good DM could work. Mejbri/ Fred as backups too

So, we're losing the midfield battle before even starting.

 

[Scorpy]

Well if anyone knows how to get the best out of Donny, it's Ten Haag. So in this train of thought I believe he'll get another, real chance to save his United career and honestly I expect him to take it.

 

[mctrials23]

I think he will be fine under ETH again. You don't need to be physical if the team is setup properly. This is what people don't seem to understand. City and Liverpools forward lines are full of lightweight players but its not an issue because they are not playing a physical game, they are playing a technical and tactical game. The reason lightweight players suffer so much at United is because we have no patterns and style to our game. We have to take 2s to look up, work out if there is a player free and where he is. We invite tackles and pressure.

You can see this in Sancho. He is having to look up and try to find the one player who is actually making themselves available or wait for someone to become available. At Dortmund he knew where his teammates would be and he would have 2-3 options for a pass and move or a little triangle.

When you are coached properly the opposition don't get near you most of the time.

 

[NoPace]

Bruno will play as the 1
You don't leave out your goal scoring machine

My guess is like this:


-------------Cristiano/#9------------
Sancho-----VDB---Bruno
-------------Fred----#6--------
----Shaw-LCB-Varane/Lindelof-Dalot/RB
------------Henderson

We just spent money on some young wingers (Amad, Pellistri) and have Elanga and signing 3 first team players feels like the realistic max without CL football, so I could see Bruno (who gives the ball away constantly but has to play) in the same type of role Tadic plays now for Ajax, with the money spent elsewhere.

Our back 7 is terrible at playing the ball and Ten Hag will want them to be able to keep the ball and control possession, and apart from maybe Shaw, Lindelof and arguably Varane if he can play on the right side (terrible in possession on the left) we don't have any real hope of that changing.

 

[C'est Moi Cantona]

Naby Keita cost Liverpool $53M pounds and he's happily on the bench and been outplayed. If he can have a bench role, then so can DVB, if he's up to the task under EtH and is deemed squad worthy by EtH.

Keita is playing in an elite squad, who are winning things, so is been kept out by top class players, and can likely see it for what it is, he would most likely walk into our team.

DVB has been kept on the bench no matter how bad we've been, and is now on the bench at a relegation threatend club, so it's not hard to think the guy would not help us as some sort of Bruno backup, which is role he wouldn't want anyway.

 

[DJ_21]

If he's good enough I would, but there's nothing really to suggest he is so far, and anyway he has already shown his discontent for sitting on the bench, so him been some sort of backup player isn't really an option, and neither should it be given what he cost.

He’s not really had a run of games though to be fair… and no one can look good in our current set up and system. City have 50mil players on the bench as there back ups

 

[afatzp]

I would guess VDB will play a MC role like Klaassen now with Ajax , and Bruno will be more AML role like Tadic .

That means we desperately need a energetic LB with pace to overlap at left flank to make up Bruno 's weakness of lacking pace and dribbling. Luke Shaw won't fit into this category as he most shines for his ball carrying ability and strength while work rate and off-ball movement is always questionable.

We now have experimented Bruno below roles:
No.8 , failed;
false 9, failed;
No.10, worked vs. lesser teams but never worked in big games.

I'm pessimistic on Bruno's future as his real problem is lack of discipline in any tactical setup and often act to his instinct. This would not work with ETH and his rigid game plan.

 

[edcunited1878]

Keita is playing in an elite squad, who are winning things, so is been kept out by top class players, and can likely see it for what it is, he would most likely walk into our team.

DVB has been kept on the bench no matter how bad we've been, and is now on the bench at a relegation threatend club, so it's not hard to think the guy would not help us as some sort of Bruno backup, which is role he wouldn't want anyway.

Keita wasn't in an elite squad when he came in. He was supposed to help make it elite, which wasn't the case. He didn't really put up a stance to claim a starting position and he's firmly a bench player and has been since his arrival 5 years ago now or so. The point is, if EtH deems VDB as a useful and viable squad player, so be it. He cost less than Keita and was assumed to be a back up to Bruno.

I think most here are giving EtH the benefit of the doubt as it relates to VDB. Everyone has had their doubts about VDB, but if he's willing and able to see out EtH's wishes as a part of the squad, then I'm on board and supportive of EtH.

 

[The Mitcher]

God help us.

There is no god after seeing that!

 

[The Mitcher]

I would guess VDB will play a MC role like Klaassen now with Ajax , and Bruno will be more AML role like Tadic .

That means we desperately need a energetic LB with pace to overlap at left flank to make up Bruno 's weakness of lacking pace and dribbling. Luke Shaw won't fit into this category as he most shines for his ball carrying ability and strength while work rate and off-ball movement is always questionable.

We now have experimented Bruno below roles:
No.8 , failed;
false 9, failed;
No.10, worked vs. lesser teams but never worked in big games.

I'm pessimistic on Bruno's future as his real problem is lack of discipline in any tactical setup and often act to his instinct. This would not work with ETH and his rigid game plan.

Bruno is a number 10 not a left winger, he's never been good in that position.

 

[MyOnlySolskjaer]

Lifeline for him, he'll be one of Ten Hag's favourites.

 

[Idxomer]

He'll give him away for Ajax after 6 months.

 

[Dans]

Underrated.

 

[Crashoutcassius]

If Ten Hag is going to play 4-2-1-3, Bruno Fernandes is the 1. Maybe he could use VDB in the double pivot.

if it is possession focused donny might be the 1. we are switching styles of play, bruno may not suit the new

 

[romufc]

I dont get why and how people thing Donny will be important to ETH? He barely starts in the Everton midfield where they use Iwobi as a CM.

 

[mjstokes85]

Looking at that video, he is clearly very aware of his surroundings, look how often he checks his shoulder and looks around for the next pass should he receive the ball. I just hope he can come back under Ten Hag and make a go of it, he clearly has the quality.

 

[King_Cantona07]

Obvious solution is moving bruno to the left wing more like a creative winger(Dusan Tadic type role) and vdb or another better passer play in the middle number 10 role. No way ETH will carry on with someone like Bruno with low pass completion rate in the middle of pitch. Would also gradually see Bruno sitting on the bench given the current show of erratic passing on demonstration by Bruno.

 

[Cassidy]

I dont get why and how people thing Donny will be important to ETH? He barely starts in the Everton midfield where they use Iwobi as a CM.

Or he is injured

 

[King_Cantona07]

Or he is injured

Yes he was from reports.

 

[horsechoker]

I'd be ok with ETH giving him some games but only because he's a player the manager knows well.

He hasn't shown enough for me to warrant a permanent place in the team. Under any other manager I'd want him to be moved on.

 

[King_Cantona07]

I'd be ok with ETH giving him some games but only because he's a player the manager knows well.

He hasn't shown enough for me to warrant a permanent place in the team. Under any other manager I'd want him to be moved on.

I guess first time we can evaluate under a manager who supports his type of player. Under ole instruction could have been long ball to pacy forwards and counter. Whatever happen in between probably gets Ignored, have seen clips where many movements are ignored.

 

[Bobade]

Underrated.

It is quite compelling, but I guess highlight reels always are. The first section, why is he being ignored so often? Is it lack of intelligence as the video suggests or lack of trust, for some other reason?

I'd love to see what he can do with new coaching and first eleven, but I feel that whoever plays with him will need to be able to compensate for his lack of pace and physicality.

 

[Dans]

It is quite compelling, but I guess highlight reels always are. The first section, why is he being ignored so often? Is it lack of intelligence as the video suggests or lack of trust, for some other reason?

I'd love to see what he can do with new coaching and first eleven, but I feel that whoever plays with him will need to be able to compensate for his lack of pace and physicality.

I still feel he could thrive with decent players around him who follow the coach's instructions.

 

[Grande]

It is quite compelling, but I guess highlight reels always are. The first section, why is he being ignored so often? Is it lack of intelligence as the video suggests or lack of trust, for some other reason?

I'd love to see what he can do with new coaching and first eleven, but I feel that whoever plays with him will need to be able to compensate for his lack of pace and physicality.

The reel is a claim more than it is evidence of anything. Anyone could find five situations in which someone didn’t play the ball to Bruno, even. Several of the examples were even quite understandable why other options were chosen.

I’m sympathetic to the claim, though. I think vdBeek has been underused by teammates when playing for us. He has at times been good at the quick passes himself, but also often dallied on the ball or played a safe pass. If I should guess, it’s about Solskjær playing a primarily relational game, whereas Ten Hag plays more a systematical game, and the latter suits Donny much better.

 

[Bobski]

Are we just ignoring him looking extremely average for Everton as well, or is that all on Lampard?

 

[Terranova]

Are we just ignoring him looking extremely average for Everton as well, or is that all on Lampard?

Depends how you look at it. Most matches he played he was the best midfielder. But that really doesn't say that much there anyway. Especially if the whole team gets overrun by a way better opponent. Midfield is kinda useless in those matches.
Not saying that he's playing very well. But it's not as bad as you make it out to be. Pretty much what was to be expected at a team Everton. VDB is the type of midfielder that fairs better in a team with more possession

 

[golden_blunder]

I dont get why and how people thing Donny will be important to ETH? He barely starts in the Everton midfield where they use Iwobi as a CM.

He was excellent in the Ajax system with players who understood it. I expect him to hit the ground running in terms of what ETH wants. He’s not out for the count yet