From what I gather with respect to what is defined as a 'formal offer', it seems as if clubs work out all the details between each other, and come to a satisfactory arrangement, before an actual 'formal offer' is made, at which point it's little more than a formality.
Donny van de Beek | van de Beek's father: "[Moving to United] a dream come true."
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This is a briefing from the club in the event someone hijacks the deal IMO. I think this deal is possibly more advanced than what's being reported. VdB being left out of the Ajax game earlier and Ten Hag's comments are telling.
I genuinely think this is why Fred started the EL semi final, and if that was an audition then he did really well.
Like you I have doubts about Fred's ability to play that role long term, but I think it's definitely on the cards. Id be more concerned if Pogba was playing further forward, but he's quite deep so..
In January when we were linked with him I said then that he looks like a Solksjaer player (energetic, enthusiastic, young) - but I figured it was off when we signed Bruno.
I gather he is a Grealish alternative - younger, half the price, Champions League experienced.
I gather he is a Grealish alternative - younger, half the price, Champions League experienced.
When are people going to learn that they throw enough shit at the wall some is bound to stick? It’s hardly like the VDB rumour is out of nowhere. They know feck all. If they knew anything they wouldn’t be running a “Premier League ITK account”.
Yes, Fred did 'well' in a team where everyone was underperforming severly and was given the opportunity when we didn't have Pogba and Bruno around. However, he has to play next to a proper DM around him, he cannot operate as a DM on his own. Also, he lacks the discipline and let's face it, the drop in level of performances when he replaces Pogba or Bruno is very evident. He would be a good player to keep around but I think it's time we brought someone who would elevate our bench. Playing Pogba and Bruno in back to back games will get them burned, injured or their form will suffer. Fred is never going to displace Bruno and Pogba and does not offer much competition.
I think we are agreeing over the same thing...
The thing is both are flawed in the role, just in different ways, I'm not sèeing it being any better whichever one we use, the neglect of this position is bizarre to me.
Listen pal. If a guy who’s got absolutely no credibility posts stuff that I like and gets me excited, then I’m not stupid enough to ignore it. I’m absolutely on board with it and I don’t intend to learn from my previous mistakes!
I mean don’t you see why we should keep him? He was arguably our best performer when Bruno and Pogba wasn’t around - they could both get injured. So having him here would mean options of Bruno, Pogba, VdB, Matic and Mctominay. That’s a very well stacked midfield for next season. He isn’t of the level of Lingard and Andreas.
Can anyone tag any Ajax oppos to give us an update on his most recent season and where he might fit in, what his big strengths are, if he has ever played number 6 etc? Most people have seen this fella but most people said they watched loads of Gabriel this season too so I'll only take it from the Ajax fans...
I put them all of them in the same bracket because none of them are not good enough to feature on our bench or pose any competition to our first 11 players. If there's no competition, the level of performances slide as you can also tell with De Gea as well. Luke Shaw improved his performances at LB when he had Brandon Williams eyeing that spot. Same way, we need Pogba and Bruno playing the best game each game.... Fred isn't going to push them out of the lineup or even threaten to.
Not convinced about his general ability as a footballer, and I don't think he is the kind of midfielder we should be looking for.
Fair enough mate I’ve been hurt too many times I suppose.
I'm sure we would prefer to sign him before our first game as well
My stance too. Grealish clearly gonna cost too much. Maybe a January move if he doesn't go anywhere before October 5.
I think a lot of us have a sick desire to suffer the pain. As if covid wasn’t enough, we need a stronger shot of a Utd transfer window Saga!
Third best Donny after Osmomd and Wahlberg. Not a nonce between them.
not a ping, but a summary
I thought he was poor in that game, not as an all action box to box, he did that well, but he was supposed to the holder yet kept getting ahead of Pogba, for me it's another square peg in a round hole situation because Ole isn't getting the backing he needs.
Fair enough.... He did perform well when Bruno and Pogba weren't around but I think we need to think big. We are constantly at the edge of our seats if either Bruno or Pogba are injured, because neither Fred, Periera, Lingard or Mctominay are good enough. Without Bruno or Pogba on the pitch, apprehension sets in if we are going to win the game. We need to be like Bayern.... when they were substituting their players, they had Coutinho, Tolisso and Perisic to come on and make a difference whereas we don't have that sort of firepower.
thanks mate
How good is he, seriously? I get Herrera vibes.
Agree with your point.
He does seem like a United player (Going by 5 highlight videos and the Ajax reddit sub), especially because he is strong, quick on the ball, good touches and most importantly potential to grow. We have played so bad in important cup games when we selected Fred because he might be a good tracker but he can't pick out a pass and misses shooting chances just outside the box like crazy. Matic can pick passes but he can't cover ground. Van de Beek = matic + Fred and then some other qualities like good dribbling.
We had tracked him in January also. Plus we do tend to consult our former players while signing them so hope Van der Sar spilled some beans to Ole. That's my biggest point for being excited for this one.
Brooks (Or someone slightly better atleast) + Van de Beek would be a decent transfer window considering we can save up for future windows when Corona is not an issue and also add squad depth and increase competition within squad.
I agree with you but for me Fred is the better player against the high press.
It seems Solskjaer doesn't have enough funds for a DM in this window and the priority targets will likely use up most of our funds. If the club sign VdB and Sancho, then for me it will be a very good window with all things considered. A DM should be the priority next season though. A DM who is suited to playing in a team that will require him to play in isolation and have the attributes to transition quickly both offensively and dfensively IMO. Immobility kills in such a high risk approach.
I’m not sure I blame Fred for ‘getting ahead of Pogba’.
Pogba lacks discipline when he is meant to be pushing forward and always finds himself dropping deep to try and be our talisman, which he is terrible at.
That's the problem with Fred, he's not disciplined enough to hold his position. To get the best out of him, you've got to use him as a No. 8 and have a Mctominay or Matic played beside/ behind him. And let's face it, we expect our No. 8's to score a handful of goals and he's atrocious at it. If we could just hold his position and provide cover to the midfielders ahead of him and protect the back 4, he would make a hell of a player since he's tenacious, fairly quick and has decent control.
Keep the 'ITK' tweets out of transfer threads please. There's a dedicated thread for that nonsense.
Does Sessegnon play LB or is he more of a winger now? Ajax seem fine in the fullback positions.
I'd say that depth in the middle of the park, particularly creatively, is also an essential signing. Bruno carried us for large parts last season but towards the end he was running on fumes and Lingard, Pereira and Mata were inadequate options. We can't rely on Bruno and Pogba to stay fit all season and play every minute of every game. I'd have it on par with RW, with CB and then LB following in terms of priority. DM is huge on my list too but it seems that'll probably be a target next season (hopefully someone like Zakaria).
nps! nice summary.
If he can adapt to the EPL he will be the catch of the season, but that's not a given, could also end up a better version of Herrera as you say.
He is 185cm and 74 kilo so by all means not a lightweight, probably physical enough to convert from Ajax to us and not get bullied. Wonder how his speed is.
Ajax seem to be selling their LB
Linked to one of the top young midfielders in Europe to replace some of the utter dregs we currently have in the squad ... Obviously half the Cafe doesn't fancy him
There are no reliable links for Sergino Dest yet. The rumours are only coming up because he has 2 years left on his contract.
Ah yeah, forgot all the Tagliafico links.
well said!
Dest is more of a RB though can play LB too. Cassidy is on about Tagliafico.
While we need depth, particularly after Pogba’s positive test, he just doesn’t seem like what we need right now. He wouldn’t be first choice - if he’s happy with that, great, but he will just add to our squad imbalance.
it does leave me scratching my head sometimes on what people actually want
Think he means Tagliafico who's been linked to Leicester, of all places, quite a bit this summer as a Chilwell replacement (or upgrade depending on how much you rate the latter)
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