[VanDeBank]

Fully agree on this. And this is some sort of reoccuring issue. We had more or less the same thing when we played Pogba, Matic and Bruno together earlier in Oles reign. As long as Matic is evading pressure so often that he plays along with the CBs (I don't think, this is a problem in general, but Matic stays there to long which then increases the problems in the buitup) AND Bruno interprets his midfield role as the one of a striker, we could have Prime Gullit and he would struggle to create a working midfield just because of the numeric disadvantage. Us having Pogba there or Donny, increases the bad effects and this is one of the main reasons we either have to adjust Brunos role in games, where Matic is playing or Matic cannot play.

Probably a combination of Matic dribbling into midfield from that position more often and Bruno dropping deeper at times would solve the issue.

Matic rarely playing and him being the only player we use this tactic for is most likely why we're not good at it.

 

[Adam-Utd]

If you're a midfielder that get's into a CB position to distribute the ball without being pressed, you're gonna have an easier time than when you have a dude breathing down your neck every time you receive the ball. Not to take anything away from Matic's performance, but it's strange to compare two completely different roles. It's like saying "Maguire's fantastic, he brought Donny into the game". Matic wasn't in midfield when we had possession, and let's not pretend he buzzed around the pitch like Fred out of possession, either.





Well, Bruno was often a lot of more adventurous than shown in the image above. With him all over the place, and Matic deep, Donny can get isolated at times.



I'm pretty sure that was when he made a poor tackle to recover someone else's hospital pass, or was it a different moment?

He went to sleep one time defending in his own box. Other than those 2 (or 3) moments he did alright, but it needs improving if he wants to challenge McTominay. For now, it's good he's shown Ole Wolves last season wasn't an anomaly.

good post this.

While matić was fine he didn’t do any better or worse, he just did the easier job of picking the ball up under less pressure.

DVB had a good game, kept the ball moving well and helped us maintain pressure which is what any good CM does.

The joker above saying we got over run clearly was watching a different match

 

[Annouchez]

I feel like some of his passing had a touch of nerves. Overall I think he played well - once the pressure of making it into the first team calms down for him a bit I feel like we will see a new Donny. I’ve always loved DVB’s one touch pass and move game. We are best when we move the ball quickly and he can contribute to that style massively. He just needs matches and confidence. Look how Fred changed (not quite into the MF we were hoping for but still miles better) once he finally got given a run in the team and I will admit I completely wrote him off.

 

[theklr]

Still very underwhelmed . Backwards passing, doesnt make himself available to others passing.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Still very underwhelmed . Backwards passing, doesnt make himself available to others passing.

that’s just not right at all.

You realise not every pass can go forwards? midfielders have to keep the ball moving and sometimes you go backwards and sideways to shift teams around and make gaps.

He was very good today, he even showed a long ball switching play that people said ‘he didn’t have the range for’.

People seem to be watching him and expecting moments of magic out of him like he’s a pogba or bruno, that’s just not his style, especially when playing deeper.

It’s no surprise we ran the game though in the first half, 2nd half pogba was way sloppier.

 

[VidaRed]

He'd make a good deep playing midfielder, he'll need to work on his forward passing though. He cant be passing it back or sideways while playing a deeper role.

 

[Valencia Shin Crosses]

There's a tidy player in there I have no doubt, but I still fear his best role is one that just doesn't fit our system or style of play. Ideally he wants to be moving the ball quickly around him and playing higher up towards the box where his knack for finding space with and without the ball is advantageous, along with his good finishing technique.

 

[criticalanalysis]

Although Matic may have taken the 'easy' position between the centre backs with the whole pitch in front of him, I thought he still played really good as he was very involved and took the initiative on and off the ball. He gets a lot of stick but when fit and fresh, he is arguably is our best midfielder tactically speaking.

I thought VDB did well, nothing majorly poor or great. Wish he did take a bit more responsibility though like demanding the ball, holding onto it for longer, pointing to where players should be etc. On the one hand I can see he just wanted to keep it simple but I would like to see more fire in his belly, a bit like the Wolves game.

After Pogba's poor cameo, I can see him starting and perhaps he will raise his game (like McT did) against Leeds.

In some ways, his best hope of finding a position and role for us is to basically emulate Herrera's last couple seasons here. I would love for him to be involved higher up the pitch but it's looking unlikely.

 

[Borys]

Him and Matic look like a good partnership. Matic has a tendency to "launch" players into the game with short passing, which is exactly what Donny needs (and he isn't afraid to receive pass under a bit of pressure).

I see a really good b2b midfielder in him. We are yet to see his level when he settles down a bit (I agree he seems a bit nervous), but I believe he has a midfielder brain (just as Pogba and McTominay don't for example).

 

[theklr]

Just seems weird Donny is placed in the pivot when Ole specifically talked about his threats in the box when he bought him. But I guess our system doesnt have room for a SS

 

[foolsgold]

Only saw the first 40 minutes against Everton but I'm just not seeing it with him, certainly not in the deeper position where he's played.

Often the team seemed to play around him, would probably do better further forward playing in the hole behind the strikers, going to be hard to displace Bruno though.

 

[Billy Jim]

I was very critical of him last year, mostly for hiding away from the ball and playing it too safe.

Thought he looked improved yesterday though. Played with a bit more purpose and threaded a couple of nice forward passes through the lines. Hopefully he kicks on because I can see him linking up really well with a player like Sancho.

 

[OmarUnited4ever]

holding onto it for longer,

isn't this why many posters complain when Pogba does it?

 

[Bebestation]

Just seems weird Donny is placed in the pivot when Ole specifically talked about his threats in the box when he bought him. But I guess our system doesnt have room for a SS

This is what I'm confused about - I just hope that this is Ole trying to get VDB used to playing deeper to provide us more versatile players in emergencies like how he gave the chance for Mctominay to play some minutes at CB yesterday.

I really would like to see VDB progress as a SS at United- it would be disappointing to see us turn him in to a player he is not.

 

[UncleBob]

Only saw the first 40 minutes against Everton but I'm just not seeing it with him, certainly not in the deeper position where he's played.

Often the team seemed to play around him, would probably do better further forward playing in the hole behind the strikers, going to be hard to displace Bruno though.

Doesn't have to displace him.

 

[OrcaFat]

Only saw the first 40 minutes against Everton but I'm just not seeing it with him, certainly not in the deeper position where he's played.

Often the team seemed to play around him, would probably do better further forward playing in the hole behind the strikers, going to be hard to displace Bruno though.

I agree with this, more or less. To date, the way he plays, his best position is probably an attacking 8 in a 433 which we probably won’t play (also that is probably Pogba’s best position so if we ever do play that system he still won’t be first choice).

Otherwise, as you say, he may be able to do a job at 10 if Bruno is injured or rested. He could end up being a valuable squad / rotation player but, all things considered, I don’t think he’ll make it here.

 

[TrustInJanuzaj]

I like him in that deeper role. I think personally he deserves to start the season as one of the deeper 8s. He’s able to get on the ball and we seem to have greater control while he’s playing. Much prefer him over McTominay.

 

[horsechoker]

I wouldn't read too much into yesterday because Everton were poor however there was a notable difference when him and Matic came off. Everton were able to get through the midfield far easier.

 

[Adam-Utd]

Just seems weird Donny is placed in the pivot when Ole specifically talked about his threats in the box when he bought him. But I guess our system doesnt have room for a SS

Where else is he going to play? Clearly Fernandes is the first choice CAM, we've tried him on the wing and it doesn't work.

He's perfectly capable of playing the deeper role. He can use his passing, control and quick brain and not have to worry about being fast.

He's aggressive enough in the tackle, works hard enough too. He can still get into the box from that position too once we have teams pinned back, he doesn't have to sit.

We've yet to see him get a proper run in the side. Remember the same thing happened with Fred at first, then when Pogba got injured he had plenty of games in a row and suddenly looked a different player.

 

[OrcaFat]

Where else is he going to play? Clearly Fernandes is the first choice CAM, we've tried him on the wing and it doesn't work.

He's perfectly capable of playing the deeper role. He can use his passing, control and quick brain and not have to worry about being fast.

He's aggressive enough in the tackle, works hard enough too. He can still get into the box from that position too once we have teams pinned back, he doesn't have to sit.

We've yet to see him get a proper run in the side. Remember the same thing happened with Fred at first, then when Pogba got injured he had plenty of games in a row and suddenly looked a different player.

He’s got to get himself into the team on merit. It will take an injury crisis for him to get a run of games unless he ups his level when he does get a chance.

 

[Borys]

He’s got to get himself into the team on merit. It will take an injury crisis for him to get a run of games unless he ups his level when he does get a chance.

Considering Pogba isn't even used as a midfielder at United these days, I think he has a good chance for some game time in midfield.
McFred is first choice.
Matic and van de Beek might be second choice.

 

[Adam-Utd]

He’s got to get himself into the team on merit. It will take an injury crisis for him to get a run of games unless he ups his level when he does get a chance.

You can only do that by playing though. He was under used last season - but it seems they've decided he's best as an 8 now which I agree with.

 

[OrcaFat]

Considering Pogba isn't even used as a midfielder at United these days, I think he has a good chance for some game time in midfield.
McFred is first choice.
Matic and van de Beek might be second choice.

You may be right.

I will be amazed if Matic starts more than 10 league games all season and they won’t be consecutive games.

VDB will supposedly get better than he has been so far but, barring injuries, I don’t see him starting a run of games for the sake of getting him up to speed, if he plays he will have earned it by performing in training and delivering on the pitch when he does get a start which, I predict, will be rare.

I’ll be glad if he does play himself into the team as I am not a fan of McFred.

 

[Borys]

You may be right.

I will be amazed if Matic starts more than 10 league games all season and they won’t be consecutive games.

VDB will supposedly get better than he has been so far but, barring injuries, I don’t see him starting a run of games for the sake of getting him up to speed, if he plays he will have earned it by performing in training and delivering on the pitch when he does get a start which, I predict, will be rare.

I’ll be glad if he does play himself into the team as I am not a fan of McFred.

I am not happy that we didn't get a DM this summer (seems rather unlikely considering how much we've spent and Pogba situation), but I can see Matic still being useful this season. Even if it's 10 games where we can give a rest to some other key players.
Back to van de Beek I think it's very interesting how Ole insisted on playing Pogba in midfield and vdB in attacking position, and then swapped them at the end of the season - what benefited both of them.
Like I mentioned before, it seems like Ole doesn't see Pogba in midfield, and Donny had definitely better performances in Central areas. Nothing great but if he gets a chance for regular playing time (which I think is likely to happen for the reason mentioned above) in midfield, I am quite excited for him. On the other hand, I have no hopes for him if we want our attacking game to rely on Donny.

 

[dinostar77]

Not seen any of DVB, has he bulked up, as much as the press reports suggest?

 

[Sylar]

Just seems weird Donny is placed in the pivot when Ole specifically talked about his threats in the box when he bought him. But I guess our system doesnt have room for a SS

This is what I'm confused about - I just hope that this is Ole trying to get VDB used to playing deeper to provide us more versatile players in emergencies like how he gave the chance for Mctominay to play some minutes at CB yesterday.

I really would like to see VDB progress as a SS at United- it would be disappointing to see us turn him in to a player he is not.

Would be wrong but it seems like the plan is to make vdb more box to box?
So have a matic who sits mostly, vdb who sits when defending and pushes up when attacking and then a Bruno as second striker mostly. Obviously flexibility means that this can change but when we didn't have the ball vdb was going deeper and when we were attacking he was on the edge of the box a few times and that will be great for one touch stuff when it's compact

 

[-Supreme-]

The arrival of Varane should allow Ole to push the defence higher up the pitch, this should hopefully unleash VdB to operate in a more attacking role particularly when in possession. I think & hoping Ole is already shaping the team to play this way if we are judging from the Everton's game

 

[ghagua]

VDB looked very assured against Everton. Now just wish he could get a few games on the trot to prove himself. I want to see him making those runs into the box that he used to do for Ajax. We have no one doing those kinds of runs now.

 

[OrcaFat]

I am not happy that we didn't get a DM this summer (seems rather unlikely considering how much we've spent and Pogba situation), but I can see Matic still being useful this season. Even if it's 10 games where we can give a rest to some other key players.
Back to van de Beek I think it's very interesting how Ole insisted on playing Pogba in midfield and vdB in attacking position, and then swapped them at the end of the season - what benefited both of them.
Like I mentioned before, it seems like Ole doesn't see Pogba in midfield, and Donny had definitely better performances in Central areas. Nothing great but if he gets a chance for regular playing time (which I think is likely to happen for the reason mentioned above) in midfield, I am quite excited for him. On the other hand, I have no hopes for him if we want our attacking game to rely on Donny.

Yeah, I hope VdB starts to settle and grow into the team. I’m rooting for him.

 

[snk123]

Too many backwards and sideways passing for me. Needs to receive the ball, turn and see better forward options. I don't know what his role is.

 

[Borys]

Too many backwards and sideways passing for me. Needs to receive the ball, turn and see better forward options. I don't know what his role is.

He's playing just like any other midfielder at United, very restricted role. The way we play ball always goes through the wings or directly from d to to defensive line to forwards, independent of who plays centrally (that includes Pogba as well). I liked this performance, he has that extra half a second advantage over Fred because he controls the ball much better, some good tackles as well. If he can play like that in higher tempo we will have a decent midfielder in him. That's the only position he can make it at United, he doesn't possess any threat to play in attacking position.

His best attribute which can really help us is he is not afraid to receive a pass in tight areas, has good awareness and likes to play it short. He is a decent option to have, honestly I'd give him some minutes in Fred place against weaker teams.

 

[Marcus]

Too many backwards and sideways passing for me. Needs to receive the ball, turn and see better forward options. I don't know what his role is.

I didn't watch the game so this was a helpful clip. To be honest, this showed that he had a great game actually. Kept the ball well, did not send hospital passes to his teammates, passed forward when there was an opportunity, made interceptions and fought to win back balls he lost.

 

[Snuffkin]

I didn't watch the game so this was a helpful clip. To be honest, this showed that he had a great game actually. Kept the ball well, did not send hospital passes to his teammates, passed forward when there was an opportunity, made interceptions and fought to win back balls he lost.

This.

 

[Idxomer]

I didn't watch the game so this was a helpful clip. To be honest, this showed that he had a great game actually. Kept the ball well, did not send hospital passes to his teammates, passed forward when there was an opportunity, made interceptions and fought to win back balls he lost.

Same, this is much better than I expected.

 

[Berbasbullet]

I didn't watch the game so this was a helpful clip. To be honest, this showed that he had a great game actually. Kept the ball well, did not send hospital passes to his teammates, passed forward when there was an opportunity, made interceptions and fought to win back balls he lost.

He did a nice switch of play that I didn’t see in this video (or maybe I looked away).

 

[pascell]

Too many backwards and sideways passing for me. Needs to receive the ball, turn and see better forward options. I don't know what his role is.

Looks like he grew into the game nicely. Those short passes that he returns as soon as he gets them could lead to danger in some situations. There's a few times early on in the club, he receives the ball and passes it straight away, when he could feint, pivot and run into the space with the ball.

 

[CG1010]

Saw the 20 minute highlight of the game on United website and honestly VDB looked good. Its encouraging start from him.

 

[andersj]

He's playing just like any other midfielder at United, very restricted role. The way we play ball always goes through the wings or directly from d to to defensive line to forwards, independent of who plays centrally (that includes Pogba as well). I liked this performance, he has that extra half a second advantage over Fred because he controls the ball much better, some good tackles as well. If he can play like that in higher tempo we will have a decent midfielder in him. That's the only position he can make it at United, he doesn't possess any threat to play in attacking position.

His best attribute which can really help us is he is not afraid to receive a pass in tight areas, has good awareness and likes to play it short. He is a decent option to have, honestly I'd give him some minutes in Fred place against weaker teams.

I agree. There is potential there. But will have to see him do it in the PL. Quite a few players have had good games during pre-season. Hope he can get a few games early on.

 

[laughtersassassin]

We won't be able to get the best out of Donny without a DM either.

It'll be a similar situation as Pogba.

 

[romufc]

Sometimes in that area when you have Bruno, Martial, Greenwood and the like upfront, we don't need the CM to try too much. What Donny does very well is keep the ball moving even if its a 5 yard pass, he passes and moves himself.

Defending against a team that constantly moves the ball is hard, it means you cannot have a full press and players like Donny who are press resistent, it helps us as team moving up and creating overloads.