Stefan de Vrij

Exactly! I fear CB could be a position where we fail to add quality from the very top because there are only few right now and then not available.

As much as we all want Hummels, we need alternatives and if we don't get someone of that quality we must buy anyway because we lost 2 defenders and have only Keane to promote.

It shouldn't be Vermaelen and de Vrij looks good to bridge the time till next summer where chances could be better to get top players.

If de Vrij can't develop into a PL defender we had at least a cheap squad player to cover for our injury prone defenders which is something we will need for sure given their injury record.

This.
 
He's the slowest thing I've ever seen. Not even good enough for backup for me.
 
Odd. Hasn't struck me as that slow at all.

More Hummels or Pique of 3/4 years ago not the quickest rather than a Buyten or Mertesacker slow.
 
He'd be handy cover for when Jones isn't available to make crazy faces.


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I haven't been impressed with him at all, he looks very slow and a bit lackadaisical in possession despite the stats. I get that Benatia and Hummels are not options but surely there is someone in between.
 
I guess that someone is hard to find. Miranda is too old and too expensive but who else?
 
I haven't been impressed with him at all, he looks very slow and a bit lackadaisical in possession despite the stats. I get that Benatia and Hummels are not options but surely there is someone in between.
He certainly looks a bit susceptible when he has plenty of time on the ball. He's generally a decent passer, but his passing was a bit loose and casual in dangerous areas when he had the ball and he had it quite a lot also.

Nonetheless, he had a good game against Costa Rica; one of their best performers in fact and he is the best of what is admittedly a mediocre bunch of defenders. He is a good player though and someone who could potentially be a good signing for United.
 
He certainly looks a bit susceptible when he has plenty of time on the ball. He's generally a decent passer, but his passing was a bit loose and casual in dangerous areas when he had the ball and he had it quite a lot also.

Nonetheless, he had a good game against Costa Rica; one of their best performers in fact and he is the best of what is admittedly a mediocre bunch of defenders. He is a good player though and someone who could potentially be a good signing for United.

The thing is he is as raw as what we already have though so I am not sure I'd see him as a good buy, to me we need a more experienced head to add to what we have,
 
The thing is he is as raw as what we already have though so I am not sure I'd see him as a good buy, to me we need a more experienced head to add to what we have,
In comparison to someone like Martins Indi - who is the epitome of rawness - I wouldn't use that word to describe De Vrij. He's an intelligent player and far more cultured and classy player than most other 22 year-old centre backs you will come across.

I agree that he isn't the ideal age though. We already have Jones and Smalling who can develop a lot more than their current ability shows and Evans isn't exactly old. We should be targeting someone already at their peak with good experience, so the transition in our defence over the coming years is smooth. The thing is, that injection of quality won't come cheap and prospective targets who meet that criteria like Benatia and Hummels are likely to be unattainable.
 
In comparison to someone like Martins Indi - who is the epitome of rawness - I wouldn't use that word to describe De Vrij. He's an intelligent player and far more cultured and classy player than most other 22 year-old centre backs you will come across.

I agree that he isn't the ideal age though. We already have Jones and Smalling who can develop a lot more than their current ability shows and Evans isn't exactly old. We should be targeting someone already at their peak with good experience, so the transition in our defence over the coming years is smooth. The thing is, that injection of quality won't come cheap and prospective targets who meet that criteria like Benatia and Hummels are likely to be unattainable.

I used the term more in regards of how much there is still left to develop in his game, much in the way Jones and Smalling have shown qualities but have a lot to work on.

It's difficult I agree, the options are not exactly vast, but I was hoping to see us pull out something of a surprise, I mean as it stands I don't think I can recall us going into a season with such unproven options in defense, we've always had at least one top class proven CB.
 
Yes, another CB with potential is not the ideal solution but maybe competition for places alone drives them on.

In the end I prefer quality over experience, not saying he is already quality.

The CB situation remains difficult.
 
De Vrij with another excellent display so far. Good WC for a 22 year old.
 
Reminds me a lot of Evans, very composed, technically good, would think he'll be a good signing if we were interested
 
He's gradually become more impressionable to me as the tournament has worn on. Very good centre back, whether van Gaal is playing within the limitations of his team or not. Far better player than Indi who some have touted for a move instead of De Vrij anyway.
 
I think he is a bit similar to Evans as well, but he is better. The more I see him, the more I like him.

I have seen him at club level as well and he is just getting better. Best player for Holland today. No weak spots in his game. I have a feeling LvG will wrap this signing up as soon as the WC is over. Will go straight in as starter for us. At 22, he will be a great central defender.
 
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I think he is a bit similar to Evans as well, but he is better. The more I see him, the more I like him.

I have seen him at club level as well and he is just getting better. Best player for Holland today. No weak spots in his game. I have a feeling LvG will wrap this signing up as soon as the WC is over. Will go straight in as starter for us. At 22, he will be a great central defender.
No, that title goes to Vlaar.
 
People will talk about Vlaar today but this guy was unreal.
 
If you had the choice out of him and Martins Indi who would you want United to sign?
 
His best game in the tournament tonight, his anticipation led to several interceptions and he never looked in any trouble against Higuain or Messi.
 
His style reminds me of a more aerially dominant Ferdinand, Vlaar suits him well, in fact he plays a Vidic role :lol: I just feel ppl rate Vlaar more because he makes tackles and goes to ground quick, he's been good but de Vrij has been underrated.
 
Noticed the defender playing beside Vlaar was excellent throughout. Didn't realise it was him until I came to thread.
 
People in Netherlands say he lacks a strong mentality but looks like Van Gaal unlocked something in him on this tournament.
 
His style reminds me of a more aerially dominant Ferdinand, Vlaar suits him well, in fact he plays a Vidic role :lol: I just feel ppl rate Vlaar more because he makes tackles and goes to ground quick, he's been good but de Vrij has been underrated.

I think that tends to be the case with British fans, at least. Probably us Yanks too, we love a good collision.
 
People in Netherlands say he lacks a strong mentality but looks like Van Gaal unlocked something in him on this tournament.

Lacks it? Isn't this kid captain of Feyenord at the age of 22? :lol:
 
Lacks it? Isn't this kid captain of Feyenord at the age of 22? :lol:
Yup and that particular Koeman's decision was criticized back then. He decided to rely more on De Vrij than such experienced guy like Mathijsen. The lad clearly wasn't prepared for a bigger role. Feyenoord failed to qualify to Europa League and the Dutch analysts said De Vrij needs to finally man up and dominate on the pitch.

Seems like Van Gaal helped him in returning on the right track for at least this tournament and to be honest cooperation with Vlaar also was the key. They played together before Vlaar ended up in Villa. Van Gaal used this as a boost of confidence for both and surprise, surprise - It's working.
 
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I reckon this transfer will go through which I'd be quite happy with.
 
We can do nothing wrong for £8m. Far better option than Vermaelen and the more I see him the play the more I like him. Calm on the ball, good in the air and his tackling doesn't seem that bad as some said before the WC. He's seem to an clever footballer, intercepting ball and always trying to play from the back. You only see him kick the ball out of play very rarely.

This is the second time in a row is runner up for the MOTM award, this time behind Vlaar and only Keylor Navas ahead of him vs CRC.

5 Interceptions
3 Clearances
100% tackling
75% aerial duels
113 touches
88% passing