Donny van de Beek | van de Beek's father: "[Moving to United] a dream come true."
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He's talking about the Dutch daily Algemeen Dagblad.
Didn't ziyech only cost 35 million?
That’s also possible.
It’s kind of funny that Real Madrid and United are both quite stacked in the middle and that sense these teams would not have been my first guesses.
Conpetition is needed tough and injuries are always going to be present.
It'll be strange if we sign him since we didn't go for Werner with a clear release clause, yet we seem happy to spend for a (granted very good) MF in the position we don't actually need (CDM).
I think the club are just negotiating and sniffing out players who might be interested. Contingency plans basically.
Unless we're planning on playing a 4-3-3 then I don't see how he would fit in unless we plan on having him as a backup to Bruno.
IMO this is just Ajax using us to push Real Madrid into making it happen.
Unless we're planning on playing a 4-3-3 then I don't see how he would fit in unless we plan on having him as a backup to Bruno.
IMO this is just Ajax using us to push Real Madrid into making it happen.
Ole will know how to fit him into the side. I don't think anyone should worry in that regard.
No, indeed I dont see Ajax in general behaving like that to be honest.
Couldn't we use TFM to sweeten the deal? He could resurrect his career if he moves there. At United, I don't see him making much progress.
I think United let Chelsea have a clear path to Werner in order to secure Sancho. If Chelsea hadn't signed Werner, they would go all guns blazing for Sancho. Also, Werner's playing style is very similar to Rashford/ Martial. Ole is clearly looking for a ST like Ighalo who could hold the ball up and bring the wingers into play and can score scrappy goals. Haaland fits that mould has well. I don't think ST is going to be a priority until Ighalo is done with this loan. We are going to prioritize an AM/ CM as well as Sancho (RW).
Not underwhelming compared to the rest of the squad no, we are still weak in several areas. Weak in terms of being the most expensive player in our history and in terms of being supposedly world class and the player for us to build a team around. Remember a video of Lampard talking about Pogba a year or so ago and completley agree with what he said.
I wouldnt swap him for the pair only as I am not mad on Van Beek as a signing, but Grealish is certainly not just decent, its only for the fact he has been in the championship and at Villa that he hasnt already become a huge player, he has been one of the best players in the league this season and is probably the most technically gifted player we have had in the country at dribbling past players (forgetting pace) we have had since Jack Wilshire. I think he could be a fantastic addition to our squad as he has genuine star quality, much like the Wan Bissaka signing of last season, its just where he fits into the side and whether we can afford him if we do purchase Sancho...and if you are asking would I sell Pogba to be able to buy Sancho and Grealish, without a second thought yes.
Van Beek though for me anyway, would be probably on the second or third rung of players to sign if we cant get our main targets.
Because of course they are. What is with Juve wanting all of the midfielders in the world?
Their midfield is a cause for concern.
They've got to sell in order to buy anyone. They've got Ramsey, Rabiot, Matuidi, Pjanic, Bentancur, Can and Khedira playing in midfield for them. They'll need to sell before they buy anyone. That's what they get from hoarding all the players that join them on a free. I could see them using De Ligt to convince VDB. However, I think Van De Sar will be key to get this deal over the line.
Juve won't have a problem shifting players. Paratici will have deals lined up for several out-goings imo.
I agree we have a good chance of signing him, and it will come down to the will of the player. And from what AD and Mike Verweij have reported, VdB is open to a move to United.
If we let Lingard go and Matic after next season plus the always unsettled future of Pogba it makes sense. Plus Andreas isnt good enough
Won't be surprised if VDB is asked to play a deeper midfield role if he joins us, with the added option of him being able to be asked to attack more if we are chasing a goal. He has the game intelligence and understanding to play well in a deeper role, as well as the ability to be more press-resistant due to his ability on the ball. He does not shy away from making a tackle as well, but I rather see a smarter kind of no.6 than a pure "destroyer" who won't support our attack or play when is possession that much.
I don't think Ole is on the "square peg in round holes" boat at all, judging on all his signings so far and how he has used the players that we have at the moment. I am sure he has a clear idea of where to play VDB when he comes and whether or not he will be a success in the no.6/double pivot role. I still think that VDB will be an excellent replacement for Matic when given more time and training in that role.
Can we spend 50 million on a squad player?
I was watching some United highlights today and it reminded me how often that Fred gets in to these consistent goal scoring positions but struggles to actually put the ball in the net.
He gets in this good positions at the edge of the box and misses the shot like 99-100% of the time to even test the keeper. Obviously he is a very useful player still but could Van De beek be the improvement of Fred?
I actually think that's where he fits in our system - he isnt creative enough to play as our CAM, but he is energetic enough, clinical enough,has passing accuracy and has more defensive ability than Fred the box to box CM we see to come out as top.
I really like Fred though but I wouldn't exactly see Van De Beek coming here to fight for a place unless Daley Blind and Van der Sar bigged us up which I think could be a case - along side being frustrated that his 2019 ajax team has all left except mostly him. However I can see Fred being happier being a second man at United than Van de beek. So it's not all that complex.
He gets in this good positions at the edge of the box and misses the shot like 99-100% of the time to even test the keeper. Obviously he is a very useful player still but could Van De beek be the improvement of Fred?
I actually think that's where he fits in our system - he isnt creative enough to play as our CAM, but he is energetic enough, clinical enough,has passing accuracy and has more defensive ability than Fred the box to box CM we see to come out as top.
I really like Fred though but I wouldn't exactly see Van De Beek coming here to fight for a place unless Daley Blind and Van der Sar bigged us up which I think could be a case - along side being frustrated that his 2019 ajax team has all left except mostly him. However I can see Fred being happier being a second man at United than Van de beek. So it's not all that complex.
We're clearly not interested in a pure DM. Bellingham, Havertz, Grealish and van der Beek are the players we've been linked to and none of them consistently plays that role.
Yup I don't think Ole believes in playing with a pure DM or outright destroyer to disrupt play in the middle of the park. He himself played with midfielders like Keane, Scholes, Veron, Carrick etc who could play in the deep-lying role while still contributing a lot to a team's attack.
As for Grealish, I think he is more of our backup for Sancho if we do not manage to pull that deal off. Interest in Havertz seems to be competition/backup for Martial since Igahlo is only with us till Jan 2021.
Recently it seems we lose whenever there is tough competition for a player. Not getting my hopes up.
As evidenced with which players? Haaland is one for sure, but there aren’t many at all.
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I dont think VDB is good enough to be a starter for a top team that has aspirations for titles.
Get him first.
Ask qs how to fit him in later.
Ask qs how to fit him in later.
You could say that about Park Ji Sung and yet he started in some important games and won many titles including the CL.
He also has title-winning and lots of UCL experience at a young age, while still scoring some important goals in big games along the way. Also, how many midfielders are there out there we can get who are of world-class quality? None of the teams who have them will want to sell them.
Over the last week, rumours have had us prioritising Grealish, and now discussing Van de Beek. Surely not both. They're rather pretty similar aren't they?
He's a bit meh for me. Would rather have Bellingham and a proper right-winger.
None of them have not ever played there.
They are very different.
To be honest I would love to see Pogba play with VdB . I cant wait to see Pogba play with Bruno and I think we could balance the team with all 3 tbh
They are very different types of player . IMO we are dipping our toe with a,few players but I think our priority is Sancho anything after that is a bonus. Also alot of it will be newspaper talk as there is not a snowballs chance in hell of getting Sancho , Havertz , VdB and Grealish. 1 off that list would be great 2 would be amazing .
This is it. I had a similar post to yours in the Grealish thread.
I think Jack and DVB are on the same list - AM back up. They're similar to the positions they play, although their skill sets are a bit contrasting.
If Lingard leaves, which I hope he doescan, and Mara used predominantly on the right side, we are left only with Pereira as back up to Bruno.
If we snatch him for around €30m compared to Grealish's £50m would be very shrewd business, even if Grealish might be a better player.
Grealish and VdB are very different players though. VdB excels in finding space and relying on his game intelligence to get into good positions. Not a flashy player who will do step-overs or score spectacular free kicks. Both have their own versatility - both can play as backup AM, while I feel that VdB can play anywhere in the midfield, including as a no.6, while Grealish can play out wide on either wing. As such, I think that if we get Sancho, the other better option to get will be VdB due to his ability to play as a no.6/8.
I think VDB will be the Matic/Fred replacement in the DM position. I like Fred in CM. But he has been caught quite a few times when pressed as he receives the ball from De Gea with his back to the opposing goal that my heart skips a beat. Will he control the ball or let it go loose? 
Not sure but do you mean we don't need a CDM or we do? I think we lack a proper CDM, Matic is past it and we need a starting CDM. Whether that is van de Beek, I am not quite sure.
Can anyone come up with a reason why he'd be worth £50 million or so?
A couple of seasons in the Netherlands where he's scored 8 or 9 goals and a bunch of assists. But we've seen this before with players having much more impressive numbers in that league and not able to do it in the premier league. 2 goals and 3 goals in the champions league which is useful from midfield. He averages a couple of tackles per game which is standard for a CM so he'd do his fair share without the ball.
I think if we ask Pogba, Fernandes or VDB to hold their position in midfield and not join the attack they're all worse players but VDB would seem like the worst of them. Worse passing range and if theres anything outstanding about him its getting into dangerous positions for a goalscoring chance. If he's not making use of that he certainly wouldn't be worth the money.
Theres 2 reasons I can think of why we might be interested
1) Ole said about Fernandes when he signed that he could play on the right. And he's fairly quick. But would he be at his best there? Probably not
2) We're concerned with Pogba's fitness and he's plan B for if Pogba is not available for selection for long periods once again
The 2nd reason would be concerning
A couple of seasons in the Netherlands where he's scored 8 or 9 goals and a bunch of assists. But we've seen this before with players having much more impressive numbers in that league and not able to do it in the premier league. 2 goals and 3 goals in the champions league which is useful from midfield. He averages a couple of tackles per game which is standard for a CM so he'd do his fair share without the ball.
I think if we ask Pogba, Fernandes or VDB to hold their position in midfield and not join the attack they're all worse players but VDB would seem like the worst of them. Worse passing range and if theres anything outstanding about him its getting into dangerous positions for a goalscoring chance. If he's not making use of that he certainly wouldn't be worth the money.
Theres 2 reasons I can think of why we might be interested
1) Ole said about Fernandes when he signed that he could play on the right. And he's fairly quick. But would he be at his best there? Probably not
2) We're concerned with Pogba's fitness and he's plan B for if Pogba is not available for selection for long periods once again
The 2nd reason would be concerning
I think VDB will be the Matic/Fred replacement in the DM position. I like Fred in CM. But he has been caught quite a few times when pressed as he receives the ball from De Gea with his back to the opposing goal that my heart skips a beat. Will he control the ball or let it go loose?
But he doesn't play as the most defensive of Ajax's 2 midfielders, Lisandro Martinez does - someone who can also play at CB and that was his main position before Ajax bought him.
So why would he be our main DM? If he was going to play DM he'd be competing with Pogba for the spot next to Fred, McTominay and/or anyone we bring in.
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