Donny van de Beek | van de Beek's father: "[Moving to United] a dream come true."

[RUCK4444]

This statement is annoying as it has been said a million times but 'if pogba is off', and we can bring in Grealish and Donny with the money then that would be a superb bit of business from us.

Nah not in my opinion. Two above average players in exchange for one of the best players in the world in his position.

 

[crossy1686]

Nah not in my opinion. Two above average players in exchange for one of the best players in the world in his position.

People (United fans) keep saying this about Pogba but no one else in the world seems to agree and he's never been close to that accolade while playing for United.

 

[VorZakone]

I like Van de Beek, I think he's quality. But not sure how to describe him, he feels like Lampard, an offensive-minded midfielder.

 

[Ace of Spades]

Think its 100% dependent on Pogba leaving, the selection of either Grealish or VdB. With Bruno here, VdB fits more IMO. But you look at the options we have right now...

• Bruno
• Pogba
• McTominay
• Fred
• Matic
• Mata
• Pereira
• Lingard
• Gomes
• Garner

For 3 spots, we have clear Pogba and Bruno as starters, then between the next 3 for the holding midfield starter. Then if one of the main 2 get injured, Fred and McTominay play together behind the other. Gomes comes in to a bigger role for cup games. Lingard as a squad player is fine. Mata and Pereira if they stay as cup game only players, again, is fine. Might be in a situation where Garner is on loan, Gomes is out of contract, Lingard goes to Milan, and we're left with 7 players, the 7th option being Pereira. Again, nothing wrong with that. The issue was Lingard and Pereira starting so many. That's been addressed with Pogba not being injured for a full season anymore, and Bruno in to start but also not force us into using them in case of 1 injury.

Neither Van de Beek nor Grealish would come if they are only squad players. Fred is a quality player who will be the first midfielder to come in for any injury, and Matic can still be a useful squad player as a holding mid with managed game time (as he's shown this season). Then we have 3 quality young midfielders in Garner, Gomes and Mejbri, and are going for Bellingham. The only way we sign any established midfielder is to replace Pogba.

It is 100% not dependent on Pogba leaving at all. If anything all that you just said shows that it is more dependent on the other players than Pogba. It more depends on Lingard being sold than anything else. We will be improving on Lingard basically as a back up, and as he is on the last year of his contract, and has not been offered a new one. He will be sold pretty much. Matic does not even play the same role, nor will he get too much game time in his last season. Gomes has not signed, and neither has Bellingham. Even if both sign they will probably get time over the likes of Mata and Periera, who will either be sold or be bit part players as last resort.

They will be squad players unless they can displace either Bruno or Pogba. The best teams have plenty of options, and they are not going to be guaranteed anything unless they earn it.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

It is 100% not dependent on Pogba leaving at all. If anything all that you just said shows that it is more dependent on the other players than Pogba. It more depends on Lingard being sold than anything else. We will be improving on Lingard basically as a back up, and as he is on the last year of his contract, and has not been offered a new one. He will be sold pretty much. Matic does not even play the same role, nor will he get too much game time in his last season. Gomes has not signed, and neither has Bellingham. Even if both sign they will probably get time over the likes of Mata and Periera, who will either be sold or be bit part players as last resort.

They will be squad players unless they can displace either Bruno or Pogba. The best teams have plenty of options, and they are not going to be guaranteed anything unless they earn it.

Unless he signs a new deal he will be gone within 12 months.

And if he's had a total change of mind and wants to stay and sign a new deal, Probably his last big contract at a major club, how much will they ask for? 500k a week?

Pogba's either leaving this summer or next at very latest. No way will we allow him to leave on a free in 2 years time. Not when he cost so much.

Getting in somebody before he goes could be part of the forward planning which would be a nice refreshing change. Don't forget we got Bruno too. He only signed 6 PL games ago..

 

[Ace of Spades]

Unless he signs a new deal he will be gone within 12 months.

And if he's had a total change of mind and wants to stay and sign a new deal, Probably his last big contract at a major club, how much will they ask for? 500k a week?

Pogba's either leaving this summer or next at very latest. No way will we allow him to leave on a free in 2 years time. Not when he cost so much.

Getting in somebody before he goes could be part of the forward planning which would be a nice refreshing change. Don't forget we got Bruno too. He only signed 6 PL games ago..

If he goes in 12 months then we will get a replacement then, also his new contract won't be much higher than the one we are offering now. No one else is willing to pay even his current wages for him, and the other clubs want him to take a cut in his wages if he wants the move.

And yeah, Pogba either extends next season or we will sell him, but he is not going now as no club is willing to fork out the money.

 

[bosnian_red]

It is 100% not dependent on Pogba leaving at all. If anything all that you just said shows that it is more dependent on the other players than Pogba. It more depends on Lingard being sold than anything else. We will be improving on Lingard basically as a back up, and as he is on the last year of his contract, and has not been offered a new one. He will be sold pretty much. Matic does not even play the same role, nor will he get too much game time in his last season. Gomes has not signed, and neither has Bellingham. Even if both sign they will probably get time over the likes of Mata and Periera, who will either be sold or be bit part players as last resort.

They will be squad players unless they can displace either Bruno or Pogba. The best teams have plenty of options, and they are not going to be guaranteed anything unless they earn it.

Don't think there's a chance we sign either of them if we keep Pogba as neither are as good as Bruno or Pogba, so they'd be bench. They have loads of clubs interested in them, they won't go to merely a top 4 challenger to only be bench players. Not would we spend to get them when we have other needs in a tough market like the upcoming one. We don't have a complete 11 that we can afford spending big money on improving depth (in our deepest position as things stand). We have 5 very good midfielders for 3 positions right now. All 5 of them will almost definitely be here. There's no space for more without selling one of the core players from this group.

 

[RUCK4444]

People (United fans) keep saying this about Pogba but no one else in the world seems to agree and he's never been close to that accolade while playing for United.

Key part of that sentence is ‘while playing for United.’

He’s been here during a shocking transition period where he was expected at time’s to be a DM to win the ball then an AM to create the chance and then a striker to finish the move.
He has been playing with largely poor players in different systems, different managers, injuries, all the while still gets the most goals and assists when fit.

Everybody who knows football knows how good Pogba is. Anybody who disregards his quality either doesn’t know football or has an agenda against him, the latter is the case more often than not.

 

[RRCE]

Yes - Ole was saying McT will be given more chances to impress due to the departure of Herrera, and it's clear to everyone that he has succeeded therefore he is Herrera's replacement

You’re getting quite hung up on this “replacement” concept (which I appreciate I raised initially). The question should be, does van de Beek make us a better team and give us a better chance of winning? If so, then bring him in. Again, I like McT, but if VDB is a better player and puts him on the bench, so be it. That’s how we improve. It’s not as though we’ve been winning titles galore over the past 6 years.

 

[RRCE]

I can’t believe anyone is against this! We need good players, period. It’s not always about replacing a starter, it’s about creating the right mix of players that can compete for places! Matic was decent for a couple of months before the break but prior to that and Bruno’s arrival, there was virtually no competition for places at all. We need to see the back of Pereira (and realistically Matic too) so I don’t understand how a player that is an all round midfielder, capable of covering all the midfield positions and actually good enough to provide competition for any of our safe starters isn’t welcome?

if we buy a specialist DM, then that just alienates some players whilst keeping others safe. Donny’s versatility means every single one of our midfielders will feel the pressure to perform and I like the idea of that.

I agree completely. We can’t lose sight of where we‘ve been over the last six years. It’s not as though this group of players has reached great heights. We need to get better, which absolutely requires better players In various positions.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

We sorely lack a midfielder that is competent at defending space behind them with the exception of Matic who at his age is not dependable for a season. And we also don't have any midfielders who are capable of progressing the ball from the deeper areas.

Another AM doesnt balance the midfield at all, in a vaccum it adds creativity to the squad but that's it.

This season Ole prefers to play with two B2B in a pivot behind the AM. He favours Pogba Fred and Mctominay in the pivot over a DM like Matic that defends space behind them. VdB fits this B2B pivot role that Ole favours as well as being able to replace Lingard and Pereira as our back up AMs. This is just my two cents on why I think we are in for him. If it were up to me I'd sell Pogba and get Partey and Grealish or keep Pogba and get Zakaria

 

[Ace of Spades]

Don't think there's a chance we sign either of them if we keep Pogba as neither are as good as Bruno or Pogba, so they'd be bench. They have loads of clubs interested in them, they won't go to merely a top 4 challenger to only be bench players. Not would we spend to get them when we have other needs in a tough market like the upcoming one. We don't have a complete 11 that we can afford spending big money on improving depth (in our deepest position as things stand). We have 5 very good midfielders for 3 positions right now. All 5 of them will almost definitely be here. There's no space for more without selling one of the core players from this group.

Of course they will be bench options, as neither are a replacement for Pogba. You are the only one who keeps peddling that they are, and then say that that they are not as good as him, well no shit.

Also, 6 players for 3 positions is normal, especially with the amount of games we will need to play.

 

[bosnian_red]

Of course they will be bench options, as neither are a replacement for Pogba. You are the only one who keeps peddling that they are, and then say that that they are not as good as him, well no shit.

Also, 6 players for 3 positions is normal, especially with the amount of games we will need to play.

Yes but why would they come to be bench only players? These are 50m+ players. Its completely unrealistic to assume we're in a position to spend that on bench players, or that they would want to come when they can choose other similar quality clubs and be starters

 

[sullydnl]

Of course they will be bench options, as neither are a replacement for Pogba. You are the only one who keeps peddling that they are, and then say that that they are not as good as him, well no shit.

Also, 6 players for 3 positions is normal, especially with the amount of games we will need to play.

Why on earth would VDB come here to be a bench option? It seems a completely unrealistic assessment of where he's at as a player.

 

[SATA]

Out of interest, who would you lot prefer?

VDB and Grealish or just Sancho alone?

 

[KennyBurner]

Out of interest, who would you lot prefer?

VDB and Grealish or just Sancho alone?

Sancho alone. What we need at this club is a trio of attacking threats. Its been the only thing missing at this club since fergie left. its easier to find quality midfield replacements than attacking ones. Im tired of teams setting up to double team our left sided attackers because our right wing threat is none existent.

 

[Trophy Room]

Sancho alone. What we need at this club is a trio of attacking threats. Its been the only thing missing at this club since fergie left. its easier to find quality midfield replacements than attacking ones. Im tired of teams setting up to double team our left sided attackers because our right wing threat is none existent.

Sancho has been a lot more effective on the left. So do we pay 100 million to shove him to the right?

 

[Ace of Spades]

Yes but why would they come to be bench only players? These are 50m+ players. Its completely unrealistic to assume we're in a position to spend that on bench players, or that they would want to come when they can choose other similar quality clubs and be starters

There are many reasons that they would come and be squad players here. They will be getting paid more than at their previous clubs. It will all depend on them whether they will be bench players or not, if they perform better than the rest, then they will get rewarded accordingly. Also, they won't cost 50m+ as no one is going to pay that much, the point here is that they can be acquired for a cut price because their clubs need money. And yes we can pay that much, without even taking into account outgoing players into account. And no, they won't just be automatic starters at any top club. If they are not up to fight for their place, then good luck at whatever club they can find.

Why on earth would VDB come here to be a bench option? It seems a completely unrealistic assessment of where he's at as a player.

And where is he at as a a player ?? He is a good player, but not WC. Players like him are not rare, and if he goes to Madrid do you expect him to simply go and be a starter ??

 

[Bebestation]

Out of interest, who would you lot prefer?

VDB and Grealish or just Sancho alone?

As long as we have Greenwood who is left footed and can play RW/RF - I don't mind waiting for the right RW/RF turn up at our club; a left footed one.

I prefer a left footed player there - I think Sancho looks a great young player but I worry about the space he gets from the attacking fullbacks of the Bundesliga in comparison to the English league especially when playing on the right. He will have to be a genuinely exceptional talent to pull that off with consistency or we may just end up with another left winger.

He obviously won't do us any harm but I worry for him - how a big transfer might effect him, the number 7, playing in his home land, a different league and a position he can do well in but maybe struggle not playing in his best position that Rashford plays in currently.

For all we know- Rashford might be a good enough striker because of Bruno Fernandes, Sancho can play LW and Greenwood on the RW in the future- really don't know how it all pans out.

I wouldn't particularly cry if we didnt get him and I'd still be very happy we did - all because of Greenwood really.

 

[Freak]

Out of interest, who would you lot prefer?

VDB and Grealish or just Sancho alone?

Just Sancho. Right wing is a pressing need.

I like both VDB and Grealish as well so if we could get all 3 and get rid of some deadwood (Lingard, Pereira, Jones) that would be a great window. Obviously I don't believe we will spend on all 3 this summer due to the economic situation in the world currently, but one can hope right?

 

[Rozay]

I’d like to think that if we were to sell Pogba, which I doubt will happen anyway - that we’ll be going after the likes of Havertz or Saúl than VDB. That’s Ronaldo for Valencia/Owen sort of stuff all over again. I’d even take Odegaard in return of Madrid were the destination in question.

 

[devilish]

I’d like to think that if we were to sell Pogba, which I doubt will happen anyway - that we’ll be going after the likes of Havertz or Saúl than VDB. That’s Ronaldo for Valencia/Owen sort of stuff all over again. I’d even take Odegaard in return of Madrid were the destination in question.

I love Pogba, I really do but he's no Ronaldo. The guy was the best player Sir Alex had ever worked with. In his prime he'd shit on every winger we had throughout Sir Alex's reign. Pogba lacks Ronaldo's consistency, his brilliance, his talent and his heart. Sure Pogba is great talent wise but if someone has less talent then him but he's more mature then him then he can top the guy. I dare we've already got the guy with the potential to do that already in Bruno.

If VdB is a Bruno F then I'd gladly swap him for Pogba

 

[andersj]

Not sure what to make of it really. Been discussed a lot in here and several make good points. Not that much commented, but maybe we really like the idea of a quality utility player? He literally work anywhere in a midfield. We also seem to favour players with the right mentality and personality and Donny appear to be a young player who is hard-working and a model-pro.

But I’m not really sure what makes him stand out. Good technique, but nothing spectacular. Good physically; decent pace, strong and great work-rate, but not Winjaldum/McTominay. His stand-out attributes appear to be that his a decent goal threat (hard to say, since he play in the Eredivise, but great record in the CL) and quite «intelligent». But he dont get on the ball much, and is not quite the player you would expect coming from Ajax.

I even saw smarterscout claiming that he, statistically (based on stats from CL 18/19) he was among the players most similar to Firmino in Europe. I’ve also read that Bergkamp, who used to coach him, compared him to himself.

He might not be a Frenkie in terms of talent, but there is a lot to like about his profile. Young, experienced in Europe, good football education from Ajax, great attitude, versatile and apparantly not expensive.

 

[Nou_Camp99]

If he goes in 12 months then we will get a replacement then, also his new contract won't be much higher than the one we are offering now. No one else is willing to pay even his current wages for him, and the other clubs want him to take a cut in his wages if he wants the move.

And yeah, Pogba either extends next season or we will sell him, but he is not going now as no club is willing to fork out the money.

I don't feel like a new contract is coming tbh so he will be leaving soon. Hopefully he goes out with a bang for us.

 

[sullydnl]

There are many reasons that they would come and be squad players here. They will be getting paid more than at their previous clubs. It will all depend on them whether they will be bench players or not, if they perform better than the rest, then they will get rewarded accordingly. Also, they won't cost 50m+ as no one is going to pay that much, the point here is that they can be acquired for a cut price because their clubs need money. And yes we can pay that much, without even taking into account outgoing players into account. And no, they won't just be automatic starters at any top club. If they are not up to fight for their place, then good luck at whatever club they can find.



And where is he at as a a player ?? He is a good player, but not WC. Players like him are not rare, and if he goes to Madrid do you expect him to simply go and be a starter ??

No I don't. But I would expect him to be a starter here.

Because in one case you have a club who have won the Champions League four times in the last six years (and are still competing to win in this year) and in the other case you have a club who have failed to finish in the CL places four times in the last six years (and still have a fight to stop it being five out of seven).

So if you have a player who has himself appeared in a CL semi-final in recent years and is looking to make a step up in his career, you have to ask why he would view being on the bench for Manchester United in the same light as being on the bench for Real Madrid (or any other team currently competing for the highest honours)? Because it's demonstrably not the same thing. He hasn't been in a coma, he knows where we are currently stand among the big European teams. So if he opts for us then it will be with that in mind.

 

[devilish]

Not sure what to make of it really. Been discussed a lot in here and several make good points. Not that much commented, but maybe we really like the idea of a quality utility player? He literally work anywhere in a midfield. We also seem to favour players with the right mentality and personality and Donny appear to be a young player who is hard-working and a model-pro.

But I’m not really sure what makes him stand out. Good technique, but nothing spectacular. Good physically; decent pace, strong and great work-rate, but not Winjaldum/McTominay. His stand-out attributes appear to be that his a decent goal threat (hard to say, since he play in the Eredivise, but great record in the CL) and quite «intelligent». But he dont get on the ball much, and is not quite the player you would expect coming from Ajax.

I even saw smarterscout claiming that he, statistically (based on stats from CL 18/19) he was among the players most similar to Firmino in Europe. I’ve also read that Bergkamp, who used to coach him, compared him to himself.

He might not be a Frenkie in terms of talent, but there is a lot to like about his profile. Young, experienced in Europe, good football education from Ajax, great attitude, versatile and apparantly not expensive.

Most of these fans would be shocked with Sir Alex buying Veron when we already had Scholes or Yorke when we had Teddy, Ole and Cole. Ole remember that time. He knows the standards that this club used to have and I think that he's trying to bring that all back

He needs to as there's no way on earth he can win stuff with Jlingz, Mata or Periera as cover

 

[RedRonaldo]

If we are going to spend 50m on him in this market, I think he is going to be Pogba replacement.

 

[Striker10]

Looks a decent player. It's difficult to say what happens. If Sancho is strong in his desire to leave and if we can not get into a bidding war then that has to be a priority. But everything is very uncertain. Donny is a good age and can get stuck in. I think he'd probably replace Lingard rather then Pogba. I think its important for the club to build on this. Ideally you want Pogba to step up and push on. Players want to play with quality players and I always felt that selling Becks hurt Ruud. Just like selling Stam seemed to irk Keano. Bruno and Pogba are important players and what's important now is to not settle. So let's see. We might talk to the player but then maybe Dortmund start to worry because the money they could get and what they could get if it goes another year is pretty uncertain. But if the price is good maybe we could go for De beek and Sancho. It'll be interesting for sure.

But I wouldn't want to deflate Bruno. I'd say of course we can keep our best players. But if that wasn't to be the case, it would have to be p/x for 2 quality players. Money would be worthless to us. Top players thrive and ambition and it was such a negative when we sold Ronaldo. We can't do that again. I think we're at a key moment moving forward but Pogba will always have an influence on the dressing room. If we come back strong, then we need to get him tied down.

 

[andersj]

Most of these fans would be shocked with Sir Alex buying Veron when we already had Scholes or Yorke when we had Teddy, Ole and Cole. Ole remember that time. He knows the standards that this club used to have and I think that he's trying to bring that all back

He needs to as there's no way on earth he can win stuff with Jlingz, Mata or Periera as cover

I agree. We need to replace Lingard and Pereira as options. A lof of people seem to think we do not need a player like Grealish, but imagine how often he would come to use this season with our injuries om Rashford, Martial and Pogba. He would probably have played close to every game considering how their injuries «overlapped».

Next year we could be in a similar situation in midfield.

I also think smart players is very undervalued and misunderstod. Maybe more than ever as people use statistic a lot, and there is not that much good stats on off the ball movement.

 

[El Jefe]

I feel like there are some posters on here that always want signings. You give them a scenario of signing VDB, Bellingham, Partey, Sancho and Grealish and they would find convoluted ways of saying how they will all fit in the side. Muppetry at its finest.

This only makes sense if Pogba leaves. As things stand the only midfield position we need is DM.

Pogba, Fernandes, Fred, Mctominay, Matic. If you add a DM like Partey to that we are stacked in midfield. What would be the point of VDB?

 

[Sparky Rhiwabon]

Out of interest, who would you lot prefer?

VDB and Grealish or just Sancho alone?

Sancho. The other two may well end up being back ups to Bruno and Rashford respectively whilst Sancho is much better than anything we’ve currently got for his position.

 

[Ace of Spades]

No I don't. But I would expect him to be a starter here.

Because in one case you have a club who have won the Champions League four times in the last six years (and are still competing to win in this year) and in the other case you have a club who have failed to finish in the CL places four times in the last six years (and still have a fight to stop it being five out of seven).

So if you have a player who has himself appeared in a CL semi-final in recent years and is looking to make a step up in his career, you have to ask why he would view being on the bench for Manchester United in the same light as being on the bench for Real Madrid (or any other team currently competing for the highest honours)? Because it's demonstrably not the same thing. He hasn't been in a coma, he knows where we are currently stand among the big European teams. So if he opts for us then it will be with that in mind.

Well, what you expect is irrelevant as he would not be a starter here if he is not better than our other options.

The position of the clubs is irrelevant if he is not better than our current options. This is not some charity, we have no obligation to weaken ourselves to make a place for him. He won't start for any top club, and he won't start here. That being said, CL or no CL we are still one of the biggest clubs in the world, and a move to us will be step up from his current club, and no less than a move to Madrid for him as a professional.

Also, justst because he appeared in a semi-final once does not mean that he is a top player who should expect to have some place guaranteed for him, and to start ahead of better players. That semi-final is as irrelevant as our second place finish two seasons ago. And it is the same thing, he will be a bench player no matter which club he goes to, there are no guarantees or hand outs if you can't prove yourself.

You are right, he is not in a coma, nor is he deluded to think we are a small club that cannot be compared to Madrid like you want to believe. No idea why you expect we should drop our standards just to please some player worse than what we have, but make an exception for Madrid as if they operate to some different rules or standards. With that kind of thinking, of course we will never improve. If he opts for us, he will do so because it is a step up from his current situation, and a positive move for him as a pro. The only thing in his mind that he will know is that no club will guarantee him anything, and if he is not better than others he will not play ahead of them.

 

[Suvvernmanc]

Nah not in my opinion. Two above average players in exchange for one of the best players in the world in his position.

Each to their own, maybe you have never seen either play. To say they are above average players is just an insult to be honest. Grealish is a top player. If we dont sign him someone else will and he'll tear it up for them. Donny has a great engine and would be a good addition to any team just for his work rate. He has alot more to his game though too. He's very good on the ball and is very creative.

'IF Pogba leaves' is what i said. We could lose him for a free soon if we dont sell him and hes made it clear that he would leave if Real came in for him so I wouldn't be that bothered if he left.

 

[charlenefan]

Out of interest, who would you lot prefer?

VDB and Grealish or just Sancho alone?

Sancho alone

If he was the only signing we made this summer I'd rate it as a great window

 

[Ace of Spades]

Most of these fans would be shocked with Sir Alex buying Veron when we already had Scholes or Yorke when we had Teddy, Ole and Cole. Ole remember that time. He knows the standards that this club used to have and I think that he's trying to bring that all back

He needs to as there's no way on earth he can win stuff with Jlingz, Mata or Periera as cover

Pretty much. The only thing that Lingard, Periera and Mata have shown is that they simply are not good enough, and we need to replace them with better players than trying to reply Pogba with inferior players.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

I feel like there are some posters on here that always want signings. You give them a scenario of signing VDB, Bellingham, Partey, Sancho and Grealish and they would find convoluted ways of saying how they will all fit in the side. Muppetry at its finest.

This only makes sense if Pogba leaves. As things stand the only midfield position we need is DM.

Pogba, Fernandes, Fred, Mctominay, Matic. If you add a DM like Partey to that we are stacked in midfield. What would be the point of VDB?

Have you seen us linked with Partey by a reliable source. Fact is reliable sources have linked us with versatile AMs more than DMs. We stopped searching for a DM when we extended Matics contract

 

[DSG]

Key part of that sentence is ‘while playing for United.’

He’s been here during a shocking transition period where he was expected at time’s to be a DM to win the ball then an AM to create the chance and then a striker to finish the move.
He has been playing with largely poor players in different systems, different managers, injuries, all the while still gets the most goals and assists when fit.

Everybody who knows football knows how good Pogba is. Anybody who disregards his quality either doesn’t know football or has an agenda against him, the latter is the case more often than not.

So ANYONE who has criticized Pogba doesn't know football or has an agenda against him??? I doubt there is a pundit or fan alive who doesn't think he is talented. He absolutely is the full package. But he has underperformed here, and has been a disappointment. The fact that he is so heavily criticized by, is a reflection of how he has underwhelmed.

This list of those that have publicly criticized Pogba is: Allegri, Neville, Deschamps, Giggs, Mourinho, Scholes, Souness, Keane, Ferdinand, Burley, Nicol, McAteer, Carragher, Owen.... even Sir Alex Ferguson. Hell, a poll in France before the 2018 World Cup had 73% of France fans wanting him dropped for the World Cup!

He can be absolutely sublime at times. Then there is the 2-0 loss to Cardiff, the 3-0 loss to Everton.... No effort, no leadership.

At this point, my expectations of him are quite low: Show up and play. Stop allowing your agent to stir up trouble. Don't wear a Juventus shirt.

I guess I can include myself in that group above who "don't know football". Or I'm part of the deep conspiracy that includes every television pundit and journalist, several managers and Sir Alex Ferguson, along with 73% of France!

Van De Beek would be a fine replacement for Pogba. Is he as talented a player? No. But does he make us a better TEAM? I would say yes.

 

[jamesjimmybyrondean]

So ANYONE who has criticized Pogba doesn't know football or has an agenda against him??? I doubt there is a pundit or fan alive who doesn't think he is talented. He absolutely is the full package. But he has underperformed here, and has been a disappointment. The fact that he is so heavily criticized by, is a reflection of how he has underwhelmed.

This list of those that have publicly criticized Pogba is: Allegri, Neville, Deschamps, Giggs, Mourinho, Scholes, Souness, Keane, Ferdinand, Burley, Nicol, McAteer, Carragher, Owen.... even Sir Alex Ferguson. Hell, a poll in France before the 2018 World Cup had 73% of France fans wanting him dropped for the World Cup!

He can be absolutely sublime at times. Then there is the 2-0 loss to Cardiff, the 3-0 loss to Everton.... No effort, no leadership.

At this point, my expectations of him are quite low: Show up and play. Stop allowing your agent to stir up trouble. Don't wear a Juventus shirt.

I guess I can include myself in that group above who "don't know football". Or I'm part of the deep conspiracy that includes every television pundit and journalist, several managers and Sir Alex Ferguson, along with 73% of France!

Van De Beek would be a fine replacement for Pogba. Is he as talented a player? No. But does he make us a better TEAM? I would say yes.

Guys don't turn this to a Pogba thread olease

 

[RedDevilRoshi]

Out of interest, who would you lot prefer?

VDB and Grealish or just Sancho alone?

Without a shadow of a doubt it would be Sancho alone. Another window with the RW position being ignored would really piss me off. Plus Jadon is the best young talent out there for that position. I’d be absolutely gutted if he joined another English side.

 

[jesperjaap]

Nah not in my opinion. Two above average players in exchange for one of the best players in the world in his position.

I would rather have consistently average (though neither are) than very occasional brilliance mixed in with a lot of average and almost as much careless play as the brilliance. Pogba is nowhere near one of the best midfielders in the world with his performances since he has been here. He has for me literally had two periods of three months where he has been and then one game in ten....in what, three or four years here now? We are talkign about Pogba being potentially one of the best in the world which he should be.....and he is now 27. Of course would love to see him turn it round but it took me longer to give up on Anderson.

As for Van Beek, think he is a tidy player, technically sound and adaptable and hard working, he kind of does everything well......but I dont think he does anything brilliantly. Is a team player and by no means a bad signing, but I think we are signing someone to do a job (well maybe a couple in his case) rather than someone who can significantly improve us potentially.

For many differnt reasons I would personally rather we signed some of the other central midfielders we have been linked with. I also now think with the current situation, the price of SAncho and the high unlikelyhood Pogba will leave this summer we can forget several signings as hard to move others on too it appears. I expect Sancho and maybe Bellingham, or Grealish, Bellingham and maybe one other.