[Mercurial]

I'm surprised that VDB isn't pushing for a move, he's going to miss out on the world cup at this rate. Van Gaal doesn't use players who aren't playing for their clubs so he needs to leave.

You are not alone in that!

Most likely a classic case of a sunk cost fallacy. Thinking he can turn this around by investing even more of his precious time or become something he isn't and so on. He need to cut short and salvage his career where he is more appreciated. In a team much more suited to his style and skillset.

Most likely he is seen as a good option bench warmer / emergency sub. But oddly enough won't even make an appearance or trusted to play during a shit show. Probably even if Pogba leaves he will be replaced by someone else. And same cycle will play out. That bit part role should perhaps be reserved for over the hills like Mata.

This case is a mystery in and of itself. Perhaps down the line we will learn more as to the reasoning behind this signing.

 

[MadMike]

In fairness, this is the first time in my life I've come across the theory that a manager so highly values a player that he refuses to play him.

No, I don't think you understood. Fancies him, as in attracted to him sexually.

 

[Samid]

Why is he not pushing for a move? World Cup is in 2022, he needs to play and he still couldn't play even when McTominay is injured or when Pogba is pushed to left side.

World Cup is 15 months away. If it doesn't work out here he'll have a chance to push for a move in January and even in the summer.

 

[ghagua]

Meh. What you see on the pitch is just a snapshot whereas Ole and his staff see much, much more. Players spend far more time in training sessions designed to replicate game scenarios than they do in actual games. The probability is simply that that DvB isn't doing well enough in aforementioned training to justify match time. The price paid for him is correctly irrelevant.

That's true, but after watching the shit show against Southampton and Wolves you think he is not worth a minute on the pitch? Let's not forget how well he played against Everton in the pre-season. We played an injured McTominay against Southampton and brought on Dalot against Wolves FFS. If someone tells me that VDB is not better than them, what else can I say?

 

[BrilliantOrange]

So much discussion about how good he is supposed to be.. Is he overrated or would he be a good Man Utd player is getting more playing time.. Its irrelevent isnt it?

Facts is he doesnt get the chance to show it.. Sure he got minutes last year, but most of the minutes were either (a combination of):
* with the likes of Mata, Pereira, Matic in stead of with Bruno, Pogba, McTom..
* in games with hardly any meaning/pressure
* short cameo's
And one thing is for sure, he never got a run of games to really adapt to the team, to the style or to a single position..

And it really really really doesnt look from any perspective this year is gonna be any different for him. And whether you agree with that because you assume he sucks in training or you disagree because you think he dominated the midfiels against Spurs and Madrid... Its irrelevant..

Ole should give him a fair chance or he should just be honest with Donny and tell him to move on..

It looks like the former isnt going to happen, so Donny should just go somewhere where he has more perspective for gametime..

 

[lex talionis]

No, I don't think you understood. Fancies him, as in attracted to him sexually.

Thanks for the clarification. I realize you're just the messenger, but is the message that Ole and Donny are sex partners and that Ole brought in Donny for sex -- or perhaps out of true love, both erotic and humanistic, for him as a human being and not to play football? I had not heard that one either.

 

[MadMike]

Thanks for the clarification. I realize you're just the messenger, but is the message that Ole and Donny are sex partners and that Ole brought in Donny for sex -- or perhaps out of true love, both erotic and humanistic, for him as a human being and not to play football? I had not heard that one either.

That's what a fellow cafite tried to pass as a rational explanation, yes.

 

[The Mitcher]

That's true, but after watching the shit show against Southampton and Wolves you think he is not worth a minute on the pitch? Let's not forget how well he played against Everton in the pre-season. We played an injured McTominay against Southampton and brought on Dalot against Wolves FFS. If someone tells me that VDB is not better than them, what else can I say?

But what would he bring to those matches that Poba or McT wouldn't? He wouldn't have changed the last one at all, it would just be replacing a superior player in Pogba who is a similar-ish player with an inferior one, essentially creating the same issues.

 

[Castia]

The midfield is shite and McT is currently injured yet still can’t even make a sub appearance

Something doesn’t add up and hasn’t since day 1. You could argue he hasn’t taken his chance (10 minute cameo’s every 3 weeks) but when we see McFred being consistently average and both still retaining their place it’s a non argument anyway for me he needs a run of games.

Most bizarre deal to date.

 

[horsechoker]

Imagine he doesn't play all season and then in the champions league final Ole brings him on and tells him "this is why I bought you" and then he scores the winning goal.

 

[Desert Eagle]

Imagine he doesn't play all season and then in the champions league final Ole brings him on and tells him "this is why I bought you" and then he scores the winning goal.

Gonna have to be in extra time cause Ole is not making subs before then!

 

[Shane88]

He'll be loaned out in January and sold next summer for €12 million.

 

[DavelinaJolie]

Just going to be stuck in circular arguments until he leaves, or plays a run of games, sadly.

 

[Bondi77]

Ole said that he feels he made a mistake last season by over playing Bruno but he will do exactly the same this season if he does not sub him when he is being ineffective in games but I just cannot see him replacing him with Donny at any stage.
The way he is being treated is really not that different to the way Jose treated Schweini.

 

[Ole's screen]

Ole said that he feels he made a mistake last season by over playing Bruno but he will do exactly the same this season if he does not sub him when he is being ineffective in games but I just cannot see him replacing him with Donny at any stage.
The way he is being treated is really not that different to the way Jose treated Schweini.

Naa If I remember correctly Jose didn't even let Schweini train with the team.

 

[Bondi77]

Naa If I remember correctly Jose didn't even let Schweini train with the team.

He did for a little while and he did not say good things about him but the end result is still the same.
Ole has said that he will play games but who is to say he doesn’t mean those games will be Carabo Cup games with the other fringe players.

 

[ghagua]

But what would he bring to those matches that Poba or McT wouldn't? He wouldn't have changed the last one at all, it would just be replacing a superior player in Pogba who is a similar-ish player with an inferior one, essentially creating the same issues.

You can't be sure what a player can bring to the team unless he is on the pitch. Bruno had 2 very poor games the last 2 games and it was just not working for him. Would it not be worth a punt to see if VDB offers something different? That's why we use subs to see if something can be changed on the pitch.

 

[mav_9me]

But what would he bring to those matches that Poba or McT wouldn't? He wouldn't have changed the last one at all, it would just be replacing a superior player in Pogba who is a similar-ish player with an inferior one, essentially creating the same issues.

Passing and moving, better touch. Now as a CM he may not be good enough but how are we going to know? And if Ole doesn't think he is good enough why aren't we cutting our losses and getting a replacement?

 

[RedRonaldo]

If we sell him back to Ajax for 25m, would they take him back?

 

[amolbhatia50k]

We should have sold him in summer and brought in another midfielder. It's ridiculous that we paid 45m for a midfielder to never use him even while our other midfielders aren't really sitting the world on fire.

Yup. It does neither us or the player any good to hold on to him and not play him. I always felt we should have admitted our mistake and let him go but it seems were not ready to.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Bruno & Lingard above him in Ole's pecking order I think. McFred, Matic, and Pogba are also above him in Ole's pecking order. He needs to leave imo. Honestly, if we never sign Donny, we would have 35m + 25m James + 10m adds on to sign a CM/DM.

 

[Marcus]

Donny needs to leave. He suits a system style of play and may be able to adapt to a more cavalier set-up. But Ole doesn't want to risk him in games that matter so that's that. I think he can do well, but I am not the manager with my head on the line in terms of results.

 

[Bondi77]

I just cannot fathom how the conversation went with Ole and Ed before they bought him from Ajax????
Surely if the plan was to use him the way Ole is using him then they would not have gone ahead with the deal?
Apparently there is a lot of research put into the player regarding his personality and how he will fit in and if he is athletic enough to cope with the rigours of the English game so unless he is an absolute shocker in training someone has dropped the ball in a big way.
When Victor and Fred came to the club they were fecking useless but yet they were given ample time to find their feet and they are still average at best and yet Donny gets a fragment of what they were given to prove his worth.
I am surprised that the media gives Ole such an easy time on this subject because this b/s answer saying he will get games does not really cut it IMO.

 

[Andersonson]

So much discussion about how good he is supposed to be.. Is he overrated or would he be a good Man Utd player is getting more playing time.. Its irrelevent isnt it?

Facts is he doesnt get the chance to show it.. Sure he got minutes last year, but most of the minutes were either (a combination of):
* with the likes of Mata, Pereira, Matic in stead of with Bruno, Pogba, McTom..
* in games with hardly any meaning/pressure
* short cameo's
And one thing is for sure, he never got a run of games to really adapt to the team, to the style or to a single position..

And it really really really doesnt look from any perspective this year is gonna be any different for him. And whether you agree with that because you assume he sucks in training or you disagree because you think he dominated the midfiels against Spurs and Madrid... Its irrelevant..

Ole should give him a fair chance or he should just be honest with Donny and tell him to move on..

It looks like the former isnt going to happen, so Donny should just go somewhere where he has more perspective for gametime..

You don't Ole is honest with him?
Since Donny is still here and not complaining I'm pretty sure he is well aware of his standings.

Stop making assumptions

 

[SAFMUTD]

What I don't get is why didn't we tried to sell him? I mean it's clear Ole doesn't rate him and will pretty much play anyone else before him.

So what are we waiting for? His value gets lower and lower each days that goes by.

 

[The United]

He has not given much of chance because he is shit in their eyes.

or

He is shit when he plays because he has not given much of chance.

I guess people will keep arguing from either side for the next 200 years.

 

[VanHaal'sRedArmy]

Swap Donny and Diogo to Dortmund for Bellingham. Win-win.

 

[SirAnderson]

You don't Ole is honest with him?
Since Donny is still here and not complaining I'm pretty sure he is well aware of his standings.

Stop making assumptions

But isn't that what everyone is doing? As no one knows what the hell is going on with this situation. All guess work and assumptions...

 

[kouroux]

Swap Donny and Diogo to Dortmund for Bellingham. Win-win.

Win for Dortmund ? I wouldn't be so sure.

 

[Bestietom]

We all know Ole doesn't like Donny as a player so why the F*ck don't he sell him and buy the DM that we need to be up there with the best.

 

[Dans]

He belongs in a team like Barca. Not sure Prem is at all suited to his game whereas I think he'd thrive in La Liga.

 

[Tarrou]

its crazy he stayed another season, what is the point?

 

[VanDeBank]

Well, it's a better theory than the one that says Ole fancies him and so he prefers to keep him close to himself on bench.

The poor in training theory is plausible but we won't have any confirmation soon.

Another theory is we spent 35m on a backup player. Basically like Ake for City. Plays some early cups and is bought to sooth any injury crisis paranoia by the manager. It's an oil club type signing that's motivated by situations like Liverpool last season. VDB gets to feature if Pogba and Bruno or Fred and McTominay get injured. Ake gets to play if Stones and Laporte or Mendy and Zinchenko are injured.

We're all speculating here and we shouldn't take Ole's word on everything. All good managers lie, like how Matic and VDB played well after having stinkers.

 

[talking robot]

its crazy he stayed another season, what is the point?

My theory is that they will try him as the #6 (i.e. in the Matic role), and he's been promised a real opportunity there, hence he's not looking to leave.

 

[VanDeBank]

My theory is that they will try him as the #6 (i.e. in the Matic role), and he's been promised a real opportunity there, hence he's not looking to leave.

Then why wasn't he subbed on against Leeds instead of Matic with a 4 goal lead?

 

[talking robot]

Then why wasn't he subbed on against Leeds instead of Matic with a 4 goal lead?

I don't know, but I'd still predict we will see him in a deeper lying role this season.

 

[frostbite]

Last season, he was one of the worst players on the pitch every time he played. Many posters here assume that he is a good player but this is wishful thinking, his performances with us were really bad. He did not have a single good game, even James had more positive contributions.

This season he has to work hard and prove to Ole that he should give him another chance. Otherwise, he will be sold next summer. Don't forget that Ole watches him train every day while we have no idea how well he trains.

 

[UNITED ACADEMY]

Why can't Ole be honest that Donny is below Fred, Matic, McTominay, Pogba, Bruno, Lingard in pecking order. Just sell him and buy a DM/CM that can be above Fred and Matic in pecking order. Straight swap with Saul may be?

 

[MadMike]

My theory is that they will try him as the #6 (i.e. in the Matic role), and he's been promised a real opportunity there, hence he's not looking to leave.

That's a pretty crazy theory. There's little chance in my eyes that Donny could suddenly become a decent EPL CDM, not after spending the first 6 years of his senior career in the Netherlands as an AM or a box-to-box CM in a 3.

CDM is an extremely demanding position, especially with the frenetic pace of the EPL. It requires awareness, positioning, aggression, good distribution and physical qualities to compete. They're not that easy to develop. Donny can't get a game in positions that match his skillset, not sure how shoehorning him in CDM would better. It would be the same as trying to make Bruno work as a CDM, they have played in the same positions in their careers.

Why can't Ole be honest that Donny is below Fred, Matic, McTominay, Pogba, Bruno, Lingard in pecking order. Just sell him and buy a DM/CM that can be above Fred and Matic in pecking order. Straight swap with Saul may be?

In a slightly better managed transfer widow, we would have sold Lingard for £20m and Donny for another £25m-£30m and used the funds to buy a good CDM.

 

[r1z3mu]

In a slightly better managed transfer widow, we would have sold Lingard for £20m and Donny for another £25m-£30m and used the funds to buy a good CDM.

This. Plus add here Mata and Jones. Mata makes 150K a week. Jones 110K. They never play (and never will).