Nigel De Jong

[BobbyManc]

Horrible thug of a player, don't want him anywhere near a United shirt, standards shouldn't drop this low.

He isn't a horrible thug of a player and as for your standards United have, like every other side, had their share of undesirable personalities on the pitch that easily edge ahead of De Jong regards being a 'thug'. Roy Keane, for example.

 

[El-Manos]

He isn't a horrible thug of a player and as for your standards United have, like every other side, had their share of undesirable personalities on the pitch that easily edge ahead of De Jong regards being a 'thug'. Roy Keane, for example.

Keane was twice the player De Jong will ever be though.

 

[Devil may care]

He isn't a horrible thug of a player and as for your standards United have, like every other side, had their share of undesirable personalities on the pitch that easily edge ahead of De Jong regards being a 'thug'. Roy Keane, for example.

Yes he is a horrible thug of a player, as for Keane vs De Jong, are we going to tot up legs broken to decide who is worse? You are right Keane was a thug on the pitch at times but he didn't start out that way, we'd know exactly what type of player we'd be buying in this case and unlike Keane he's far from being a world class CM to offset some of the bad taste from being a thug..

 

[El-Manos]

Perhaps he wasn't the most flashiest of players, or a person who won't run from 40yards like Yaya, he was work man like. In a title winning team, you need those type of players

Plenty of non-flashy players who would do an excellent job defensively in midfield, Gustavo, Fernando , etc. Who in my opinion are superior to De Jong.

 

[Midnight1811]

Plenty of non-flashy players who would do an excellent job defensively in midfield, Gustavo, Fernando , etc. Who in my opinion are superior to De Jong.

Gustavo! How could I have forgotten him? I think he moved for something like 15 last season. Nice player, would have suited Arsenal very well. Fernando move to city is good business 12m. Not bad.

 

[foolsgold]

He was perfectly good at Man City, he'd be a clear upgrade on our holding midfield options.

He's strong, hard working and a good passer of the ball. He'd offer a lot of protection to the back 4 or 5.

At 29 years old, he should be close to his peak, played 44 games last year so injury record is good, and LvG knows him well from the Dutch team, so there's not going to be any surprises, he knows how he trains, how he is in the dressing room and how his mind works. I assume he speaks fluent english from his time at city, and he knows the environment he's coming to,

His signing would be a clear indication that LvG intends playing Phil Jones at CB.

At 9m he's going to give us a good 2 - 3 years of service, get him signed asap.

 

[Ubik]

Plenty of non-flashy players who would do an excellent job defensively in midfield, Gustavo, Fernando , etc. Who in my opinion are superior to De Jong.

De Jong has the benefit of being cheap (Gustavo wouldn't be) and known by Van Gaal to fit into his system. As well as not having recently been bought by City.

 

[FromTheBench]

I think we'll look a holding player who can play the ball more like Carrick, than just a limited destroyer like De Jong though he can do a job for us as well.

Sir Alex didn't like such limited destroyer type mids. Will be interesting if LVG uses them.

 

[stevoc]

Wouldn't mind de Jong. I can't remember the last purely defensive midfielder to play for us.

Although someone a tad more gifted would be preferable, I think it's a good option to have for some games.

I don't think we have ever had a purely defensive midfielder, not under Ferguson anyway that i can remember.

The closest we ever got was playing the likes of O'Shea,Johnsen,Neville etc. in midfield i would say.

 

[FromTheBench]

De Jong has the benefit of being cheap (Gustavo wouldn't be) and known by Van Gaal to fit into his system. As well as not having recently been bought by City.

Gustavo was bought by Bayern for a big fee during LVG's time there no? But yeah, he would be fair bit more expensive now and probably over worth his value.

I'd like to think anyway he'd look for a Strootman, Clasie type more in that role for us than a De Jong type though.

 

[BobbyManc]

Keane was twice the player De Jong will ever be though.

That's not got anything to do with standards though.

Yes he is a horrible thug of a player, as for Keane vs De Jong, are we going to tot up legs broken to decide who is worse? You are right Keane was a thug on the pitch at times but he didn't start out that way, we'd know exactly what type of player we'd be buying in this case and unlike Keane he's far from being a world class CM to offset some of the bad taste from being a thug..

De Jong has never purposely set out to injure someone. He got a lot of stick for breaking Ben Arfa's leg but the tackle was reasonable and the referee stood yards away didn't deem it a foul and when he had a chance to review it afterwards with the benefit of replays he still didn't deem it worthy of a red card. Similar for Stuart Holden's injury, his tackle wasn't excessive. It was just unlucky.

And you can't preach about United's standards but then effectively say 'but if the player is good enough it doesn't matter...'. That's a pretty poor stance to take.

 

[FromTheBench]

I don't think we have ever had a purely defensive midfielder, not under Ferguson anyway that i can remember.

The closest we ever got was playing the likes of O'Shea,Johnsen,Neville etc. in midfield i would say.

Butt was probably the only one and he came from the youth teams plus even he was encourage to go forward more at times.

Sir Alex has reacted to the suggestion that he should be looking to invest in a holding midfielder during the close season.

The Manchester United boss has explained that he has never used a player to fill that specific role and cited Barcelona’s former Arsenal captain Cesc Fabregas as evidence that the most effective performers in the middle of the park need not be destroyers.

“If you look at the examples, Fabregas was one of the best midfield players in England for five years but he wasn’t a big lad and wasn’t a holding player,” said Sir Alex. “He was an attacking player. Xavi and [Andres] Iniesta are small players – you can’t call them holding players.

"I don’t think we’ve had a holding player since I’ve been here. We’ve never had a holding player.

“We tried to get Roy Keane to do that but he just couldn’t do it. He had to play a way that was his own way of playing, so I’ve not had it for 25 years. Why should I think about it now?”

http://www.manutd.com/en/News-And-F...guson-will-not-sign-a-holding-midfielder.aspx

 

[El-Manos]

De Jong has the benefit of being cheap (Gustavo wouldn't be) and known by Van Gaal to fit into his system. As well as not having recently been bought by City.

I never said they were available, I just said they are better options and perhaps we should have opted for them in stead while we still had the chance.

 

[Devil may care]

De Jong has never purposely set out to injure someone. He got a lot of stick for breaking Ben Arfa's leg but the tackle was reasonable and the referee stood yards away didn't deem it a foul and when he had a chance to review it afterwards with the benefit of replays he still didn't deem it worthy of a red card. Similar for Stuart Holden's injury, his tackle wasn't excessive. It was just unlucky.

And you can't preach about United's standards but then effectively say 'but if the player is good enough it doesn't matter...'. That's a pretty poor stance to take.

Oh right, if you'd told me you knew exactly what De Jong was intending to do when he has done the things he's done I wouldn't have bothered arguing with you, I mean when he cracked Alonso's ribs with a karate kick did he just think Xabi needed a good ole nipple tickle? come on, De Jong is exactly what I said he is and you know it.

Well you jumped on standards as purely meaning the class of person, I mean we pay Rooney and by all accounts he's far from a class act, so standards does include quality as well as thuggery, De Jong doesn't possess enough of the former to offset the latter, and as I said, we signed Keane before he had done multiple despicable things on a pitch, you surely know as well as any fan that once a player is yours you end up taking the rough with the smooth, buying De Jong at this juncture is knowingly buying a thug player.

 

[justboy68]

I'd definitely take him here for £8 million. He'd undoubtedly be a useful player to have, people shouldn't be so precious. He'll provide some serious bite in the centre of the park which we've been lacking for ages and will be one of our best midfield options for now. Then if we manage to hopefully get some top quality in he will still be a good midfield option to have protecting the defence. I love having a mean bastard in the middle of the park.

 

[BobbyManc]

Oh right, if you'd told me you knew exactly what De Jong was intending to do when he has done the things he's done I wouldn't have bothered arguing with you, I mean when he cracked Alonso's ribs with a karate kick did he just think Xabi needed a good ole nipple tickle? come on, De Jong is exactly what I said he is and you know it.

Well you jumped on standards as purely meaning the class of person, I mean we pay Rooney and by all accounts he's far from a class act, so standards does include quality as well as thuggery, De Jong doesn't possess enough of the former to offset the latter, and as I said, we signed Keane before he had done multiple despicable things on a pitch, you surely know as well as any fan that once a player is yours you end up taking the rough with the smooth, buying De Jong at this juncture is knowingly buying a thug player.

Fair enough regards the second paragraph but I think it is generally obvious when a player goes in with a tackle that is deliberately careless and with an intent to cause harm. Keane has admitted to doing just that. De Jong hasn't and I don't think you can watch his tackles that have resulted in severe injuries and state confidently that he has gone in with the intent to injure someone. They're really not particularly bad challenges.

 

[Devil may care]

Fair enough regards the second paragraph but I think it is generally obvious when a player goes in with a tackle that is deliberately careless and with an intent to cause harm. Keane has admitted to doing just that. De Jong hasn't and I don't think you can watch his tackles that have resulted in severe injuries and state confidently that he has gone in with the intent to injure someone. They're really not particularly bad challenges.

I'm not saying I know every challenge was intended to damage the other player but when you do it as often as he has it adds up to showing the type of player he is, if he wasn't he'd modify how he goes in but no matter the damage done he just keeps on with the same reckless style regardless.

 

[Bole Top]

I never said they were available, I just said they are better options and perhaps we should have opted for them in stead while we still had the chance.

and this is based on...? I'd even say there is no better option than De Jong.

1) premier league experience
2) works well with van Gall
3) cheap

there's almost no risk with signing him and that's exactly what we need, safe and experienced option in midfield.

 

[stevoc]

Butt was probably the only one and he came from the youth teams plus even he was encourage to go forward more at times.

I don't know if i would describe Butt as a pure defensive midfielder in the same mould as De Jong or Gustavo though i can see what you're saying. Butt often played with Scholes so always had to be the more disciplined of the two. But i reckon nicky was a very good footballer in his own right though playing alongside someone like Scholes its obvious which one is going to have to do the donkey work. Butt for me was more of a box to box midfielder.

 

[Ubik]

I never said they were available, I just said they are better options and perhaps we should have opted for them in stead while we still had the chance.

Carrick's injury only happened a few days ago, so if that's what's pushed us into apparently wanting extra cover then we have to look at what's been available since a few days ago. We've neglected central midfield for so long now that options we can rely on there are slim to say the least, so bringing one in for cheapish that Van Gaal knows to perform seems perfectly sensible. Yeah we likely should have foreseen the trouble we'd be in with numbers should Carrick get a lengthy injury, but I'd guess Van Gaal was aiming to bring the quality in before the depth.

 

[RedRover]

I think we'll look a holding player who can play the ball more like Carrick, than just a limited destroyer like De Jong though he can do a job for us as well.

Sir Alex didn't like such limited destroyer type mids. Will be interesting if LVG uses them.

The fact that LVG picked him repeatedly suggests he likes him as a holding player in his system - whatever system that may be.

I've no issue why this. He's cheap, vastly experienced and in his time in the PL his contribution for City was vastly underrated.

Those labelling him a "thug" are entitled to an opinion, but I think it's massively overstating it. He plays the game hard - I see no issue in that, nor do I see it as a problem that a player may have a bit of the fear factor around him. We've been too soft in midfield for years. A player like that provides a platform for players in front and disrupts the oppositions play.

All the things levelled at him can be levelled at Roy Keane - a player United fans loved and considered a true hero. He's no more dirty a player than a Keane or a Vieira - a player United fans would have loved to have seen at the club no doubt.

Fact is, there are better holding players, and he isn't the answer to our problems but at a decent fee he'd be a shrewd buy and potentially contribute a lot over a season. On that basis if Van Gaal thinks its wise, fair play to him.

 

[El-Manos]

and this is based on...? I'd even say there is no better option than De Jong.

1) premier league experience
2) works well with van Gall
3) cheap

there's almost no risk with signing him and that's exactly what we need, safe and experienced option in midfield.

No better option? You are joking? I suppose he would be a superior signing to Kroos and Vidal as well?

 

[Devil may care]

If Liverpool or Arsenal signed him posters here would be pissing themselves laughing at Wenger and the Scouse, but apparently we are so fecking sad and desperate that he's not only a good signing but a great signing for us, Moyes really did a number on some.

 

[Sarni]

I have only recently realised he is only 29, thought he was around 33 for some reason. It's hard to explain why City let him go as he is clearly better option than Rodwell and did a good job there. I am not particularly fond of him but he is good at what he does and would be useful here, wouldn't like him as the only remaining midfield signing. If we were to sign someone younger and more positive I'd happily take de Jong as another midfielder next to that someone.

 

[FromTheBench]

The fact that LVG picked him repeatedly suggests he likes him as a holding player in his system - whatever system that may be.

They had Strootman and Van Ginkel out or he might have paired those 2 in a 3 with a Clasie playing different sort of game plus i think the Dutch played with a more defensive counter attacking system than LVG would use at United. As his usual football is more possession based.

But then he has used a Gustavo before at Bayern so who knows. De Jong could do a job but would be a underwhelming signing and leave us needing one more midfielder probably.

 

[Ubik]

If Liverpool or Arsenal signed him posters here would be pissing themselves laughing at Wenger and the Scouse, but apparently we are so fecking sad and desperate that he's not only a good signing but a great signing for us, Moyes really did a number on some.

Our current centre midfield options:

Herrera
Carrick
Fellaini
Cleverley
Anderson
Fletcher

Context is everything.

 

[RustyS]

I wouldn't mind him. My biggest annoyance with him, and I know this might be a little silly, is that he used to be a City player.

 

[iBoss]

If Liverpool or Arsenal signed him posters here would be pissing themselves laughing at Wenger and the Scouse, but apparently we are so fecking sad and desperate that he's not only a good signing but a great signing for us, Moyes really did a number on some.

Like Flamini?...

 

[Carl]

If we can't sign the blockbuster that we all crave then I think De Jong would be a very good stop gap option. We can't just chuck hundreds of millions at the squad all in one go and expect it to all work. He's a player than knows the league well, plays in an area of the pitch that we're seriously lacking and, most importantly, van Gaal trusts him.

He wouldn't be my first choice but if they can't happen this Summer he'd be a very capable plan B.

 

[Bole Top]

No better option? You are joking?

nope, not for that particular role. you talk like he would be our last signing. what I want is one experienced midfielder (De Jong) that we needed anyway, but especially need one now when Carrick is injured + one like Vidal. he really shouldn't be affecting our other transfers and I'd be mad if that was the case.

 

[Devil may care]

Our current centre midfield options:

Herrera
Carrick
Fellaini
Cleverley
Anderson
Fletcher

Context is everything.

I'm well aware of how poor our midfield is but that's no reason to stoop, we are an enormous club with great tradition who surely can do a lot better on the character and talent front.

Like Flamini?...

He was free and a fill in and not a thug, mediocre squad player for zero outlay in an already decent midfield is not the same.

 

[iBoss]

He was free and a fill in and not a thug, mediocre squad player for zero outlay in an already decent midfield is not the same.

You can argue that De Jong is a 'fill in' until we potentially sign Strootman. Flamini was brought into the squad to be the more defensive player. The situation is actually a little similar.

 

[Keeps It tidy]

If it wasn't for Van Gaal will would be laughing at being linked with him. Not good enough at all.

 

[Suus]

Strootman and De Jong have zero similarities. Jong is a bully whereas Strootman is a quality playmaker and can play as box2box.

 

[Ubik]

I'm well aware of how poor our midfield is but that's no reason to stoop, we are an enormous club with great tradition who surely can do a lot better on the character and talent front.



He was free and a fill in and not a thug, mediocre squad player for zero outlay in an already decent midfield is not the same.

In the press conference the other day Van Gaal emphasised personality pretty much above everything else, he's not going to sign him if he sees a problem in that department.

 

[Devil may care]

You can argue that De Jong is a 'fill in' until we potentially sign Strootman. Flamini was brought into the squad to be the more defensive player. The situation is actually a little similar.

This Strootman thing baffles me, I know LvG loves him and what not but what makes anyone think Roma are just going to sell him to us when he's fully fit? They only bought him a year ago and he seems pretty integral to their team, if we do go for him it wont be a case of just making an offer and he'll come running, Roma will bend us over royally if they even agree to sell. We don't have the luxury to sign fill ins at all given how bad we were exposed last season and how every rival is buying to strengthen their position ahead of us. Flamini was a free addition to a better midfield in a team already in the CL.

 

[Devil may care]

In the press conference the other day Van Gaal emphasised personality pretty much above everything else, he's not going to sign him if he sees a problem in that department.

Well I can only hope that he doesn't care for the type of player with the attitude De Jong has, people need to remember that for Holland LvG didn't have the chance to pick and choose who he wanted, his selection was dictated by passport and then by injuries.

 

[iBoss]

This Strootman thing baffles me, I know LvG loves him and what not but what makes anyone think Roma are just going to sell him to us when he's fully fit? They only bought him a year ago and he seems pretty integral to their team, if we do go for him it wont be a case of just making an offer and he'll come running, Roma will bend us over royally if they even agree to sell. We don't have the luxury to sign fill ins at all given how bad we were exposed last season and how every rival is buying to strengthen their position ahead of us. Flamini was a free addition to a better midfield in a team already in the CL.

I said potential signing.

Who says De Jong will be the only other CM signing we make? De Jong has proven himself at City and will give a real good base in CM. If we cannot sign our top targets this wouldn't be a bad move.

 

[Snow]

That's not got anything to do with standards though.



De Jong has never purposely set out to injure someone. He got a lot of stick for breaking Ben Arfa's leg but the tackle was reasonable and the referee stood yards away didn't deem it a foul and when he had a chance to review it afterwards with the benefit of replays he still didn't deem it worthy of a red card. Similar for Stuart Holden's injury, his tackle wasn't excessive. It was just unlucky.

And you can't preach about United's standards but then effectively say 'but if the player is good enough it doesn't matter...'. That's a pretty poor stance to take.

World cup final 2010.

 

[iBoss]

I'm sure I read/heard a stat that he hasn't received a red card in years.