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

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Eplel

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I like his style,looks very intelligent. He's gonna look like Einstein to us after enduring a year of Pereira and Jlingz
 

Santoryo

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People are confused, they want world class players, but they don’t want to pay money. They want squad depth, but you get linked with someone with CL class and experience and apparently they’re not good enough. You get linked with a young talented player (Brooks), and apparently we’re settling for mediocrity.

The bottom line, moaners will moan regardless.
Pretty much this.
 

NinjaZombie

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People are confused, they want world class players, but they don’t want to pay money. They want squad depth, but you get linked with someone with CL class and experience and apparently they’re not good enough. You get linked with a young talented player (Brooks), and apparently we’re settling for mediocrity.

The bottom line, moaners will moan regardless.
This!

Granted, it might be different people saying different things but it does feel like people moan at everything that could go wrong. This transfer could go the way of Schneirdelin of course, but it could also be a good one.

I just assume Ole and his guys know what they're doing and that every decision made is properly thought of to minimize the risk of it going bad.

I hope we sign VDB, especially if he's chomping at the bit to come to us.
 

DRM

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I like this. He's effectively replacing lingad/Pereira so almost immediately the quality of our squad increases.
 

Goku23

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Quality signing much needed as he can play in a few positions! If we can get Sancho over the line as well thats 2 amazing sigings I doubt we will sign anymore though since Sancho will cost a lot. Some people have likened VDB to Muller if thats even close to being true we have a real talent.
 

RUCK4444

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People are confused, they want world class players, but they don’t want to pay money. They want squad depth, but you get linked with someone with CL class and experience and apparently they’re not good enough. You get linked with a young talented player (Brooks), and apparently we’re settling for mediocrity.

The bottom line, moaners will moan regardless.
Yeah I get that, but I don’t think many are actually unhappy to sign this lad.

I think, speaking for myself at least, it’s a concern that the club seem to be apparently limited by what we can spend, so there’s a underlying worry that we need to improve the starting 11.

People are being quite defensive about this guy and I don’t think many, that I’ve seen, are unhappy by it. Just that there are more pressing concerns within the squad.
 

Teja

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Only ever watched highlights of this guy but has Bruno vibes in terms of how quickly he thinks. Is anyone expecting him to be a part of the starting XI? Don't think he'd displace anyone in our current midfield three.
 

DSG

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I’m hoping this thread gets to 200 pages before it’s reported that “United have backed out of the race for the €30m rated Donny Van deBeek, citing pandemic woes and an inflated transfer market”.

Watching Woody work in the transfer market is like being a straight jacket with your eyes taped open watching paint dry.
 

Paul_Scholes18

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Only ever watched highlights of this guy but has Bruno vibes in terms of how quickly he thinks. Is anyone expecting him to be a part of the starting XI? Don't think he'd displace anyone in our current midfield three.
I think he gives us flexibility. Could play him together with Pogba behind Bruno. Also play a diamond formation which I would love to see. Then also play him instead of Bruno or Pogba.
 

Davie Moyes

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Only ever watched highlights of this guy but has Bruno vibes in terms of how quickly he thinks. Is anyone expecting him to be a part of the starting XI? Don't think he'd displace anyone in our current midfield three.
Yep good observation. The other similarity is Bruno was likened to Lampard and so is this fella.
 

cyberman

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I’m hoping this thread gets to 200 pages before it’s reported that “United have backed out of the race for the €30m rated Donny Van deBeek, citing pandemic woes and an inflated transfer market”.

Watching Woody work in the transfer market is like being a straight jacket with your eyes taped open watching paint dry.
Yeah, sounds like fun. Cant wait.
 

manuchamp88

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I dont understand tweets like this. What do they mean coming close. Are we putting down a £1 coin at a time, on the table, or something?
I suppose it's a positively worded way of saying we've had 1 offer rejected but they would be happy with just a few million more.
 

Tarrou

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i think this will be a great signing if we get him

we spent the entire season moaning about how we couldn't break teams down with a low block whilst playing Lingard and Perreira

as soon as we get Bruno and Pogba back we get way better at it, but we need more quality in midfield to rotate and cover
 

Pretzels81

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I can't believe some individuals claim Van de Beek is average. What? Anyone from Ajax 18-19 is class. He will be a key Starting XI player before November.

Glad to see him with us and not with Liverpool, Chelsea or City.
 

Mercurial

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I’m hoping this thread gets to 200 pages before it’s reported that “United have backed out of the race for the €30m rated Donny Van deBeek, citing pandemic woes and an inflated transfer market”.

Watching Woody work in the transfer market is like being a straight jacket with your eyes taped open watching paint dry.
Woody is knee deep into focus groups with cereal brands, fastfood and tractor companies to measure the potential marketability numbers before he can decide if we want to be updated on developments or not. Stuff like that cannot be rushed!
 

SinNombre

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I dont understand tweets like this. What do they mean coming close. Are we putting down a £1 coin at a time, on the table, or something?
My understanding has always been this; just making up a fictional hypothetical example for purposes of illustration before anyone jumps on me

United offer €30m upfront + €5m in 1 year + €5m in 2 years + €5m in bonuses
Ajax want more of the money upfront; or want the bonuses to be smaller and more guaranteed, and so on.

All it means is fundamentally the clubs are close in price but negotiating the terms.
 

lysglimt

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How is he compared to Klassen? I remember Klassen was highly rated and had scored 20 odd goals in all competition but when he moved to everton, he completely flopped.
Well his nickname isn't "cheesestraw" due to his physical appearance - that helps :)
 

Strelok

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Only ever watched highlights of this guy but has Bruno vibes in terms of how quickly he thinks. Is anyone expecting him to be a part of the starting XI? Don't think he'd displace anyone in our current midfield three.
I watched him a few times in the CL and imo he's a Muller in the midfield. Nothing fancy he keep things simple but a true work horse, good technique, good passing and an eye for a goal there. Imo he's a pretty all round midfielder.

If we sign the guy Ole would go for a 4213 with a double pivot of Pogba - VDB I think. Imo if Ole use this trio wisely, like switching their positions as they all can go forward into the penalty box it would cause a lot of surprise for the opponent defenders. Like what he did with Rashford, Martial, Greenwood. However this tactic would be probably a bit weak defensively as it has no real DM. Last match against Sevilla we also played with a double pivot Fred - Pogba with Bruno sometime dropped a bit.
 

crossy1686

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I dont understand tweets like this. What do they mean coming close. Are we putting down a £1 coin at a time, on the table, or something?
Most of these Tweets are translated from another language so expressions get lost in English when you take the phrase literally. Think about how mental it sounds to someone who doesn't speak English to hear "He's driving me up the wall" for example.

The tweet in question is most likely referring to United discussing the transfer fee with Ajax and being close to an agreement (instalments, add-ons etc).

Buying a player isn't quick or easy. Try and buy a house this week and see if you can get in done in one afternoon.
 

Adnan

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Seen a couple of videos. Whats not to like?! All action box to box midfielder with excellent all round skills and stamina. Very good first touch in tight spaces and under pressure, where he seems easily able to outmanoeuvre into new space. Seems to have a good dribble and final pass too. I love how often he is found high up the pitch in these highlights.

Reminds me a lot of Gerrard or Keane , would be joining around the same age as Keane too. Looks defensively alot tidier then Pogba, What excites me most is he is Ajax trained and will only get better.

Anyone know what formation Ajax play? Is he a classic no 6 for them? Can he also cover for Matic?


@Adnan - what do you think?
The last time I saw Ajax play was against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the UCL and they lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with VdB and Martinez in a double pivot and Ziyech as the most advanced midfielder.

I honestly believe if we sign him then I can see Ole trying him as the holding midfielder against the so called lesser teams. He has the tactical and technical game to play the role along with the discipline. Dutch players are tactically very well drilled especially those coming through at Ajax due to the emphasis being on dominating possession which requires good positional understanding, technique and discipline which-in turn creates passing options/triangles. Against the better teams you'd ideally like someone more disciplined next to him with either Pogba or Fernandes dropped to the bench which would provide better defensive balance.

The question will always be if he can succesfully transition his game to the EPL, but if he does, then I can see him start every big game we play as long as he's available due to the balance he provides both defensively and offensively.

He's a player that adds intensity on and off the ball which would really help us maintain a high tempo in games which would help Ole greatly in implementing his style on the team.
 

roseguy64

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I agree that there's something in the theory but I don't think he was good in the games if you judge him on the role he was supposed to be playing, if you judge him in those games playing as a box to box then sure, he was decent.
Fair enough. He seemed to play the Matic role but also moved forward a bit more. It's not like we were overrun constantly. Maybe Pogba was a bit deeper than usual to help that but I can't really say.
 

FizzyWomack

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Our midfield, bar a cultured dm to rival Matic, will be nicely stocked if it happens. Unless we believe the noises that Scott is being prepared for the role. Both he and Fred proved last year that they're easily good enough to be squaddies here and surely that Dutch fellow only adds to that?

Then you've got Bruno, Pogba and a potentially fresh Matic.
Sounds a bit like an air freshener that :lol:

If that’s true that VDB has confirmed he’s not took part in the Ajax squad because of our interest then this is surely nailed on.

Shame Sancho didn’t do the same thing with BVB?
 

Class of 63

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Van de Beek does his best work where Fernandes is currently deployed.
As does Pogba. Wondering if the deal goes through, and it's 90% it will unless Spurs come in at the eleventh hour that Ole intends to use VdB as a no.6 to rotate with Matic as he's got the passing range to excel there, and is slightly quicker than the Serb, and to be available to spell Fernandes and/or Pogba when they are injured/need a rest, and play alongside Matic/Fred or the seriously underrated McTominay.
contract meaning
Why is everyone on Redcafe so desperate to sell Pogba? That too for a LB who won't start over Shaw mostly. VDB is coming as squad player and won't replace Pogba as first team player.
Sometimes it's needs must, as talented as he is, he hasn't pulled up any trees on his return and I think even his biggest fans would admit that, and as appears we need extra funds for the rebuild he is one of the few in the squad who should bring in enough to help on that score as selling Fernandes or one of the front three is a no-no.

Dunno about Sergio Reguilón as he's a new name to me, and he didn't do anything in the Semi-Final to suggest he's a must buy if available but we seriously need an upgrade on Shaw and he's the flavour of the month, and at a club who are one of the few that could afford to pay near to what we'd want for the underachieving Pogba. The only problem with that is Real would want a buy-back clause in Reguilón's contract and if he did well at United we'd be polishing/developing a player for their benefit and only make a few £'s for the privilege.
 

El-Manos

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Sounds a bit like an air freshener that :lol:

If that’s true that VDB has confirmed he’s not took part in the Ajax squad because of our interest then this is surely nailed on.

Shame Sancho didn’t do the same thing with BVB?
We have probably agreed a fee with Ajax, obviously not with Dortmund....yet.
 

VP89

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For those who have followed him, I some follow-up questions if thats OK, apologies if this has been touched upon:

- He's obviously a versatile midfielder but which position out of 10/6/8 would suit him most?
- A lot is made of Bruno + Pogba playing ahead of him, but then is there a case of him operating as a defensive midfielder/deep lying playmaker? Or is Matic still best for this?
- Is he better than the equivalents that our rivals have? So say: Wjinaldum, Kovacic, Ceballos, Lo Celso (not exactly the same position but similar attributes from how I've read VDBs strengths)
- His press and energy are among his best attributes, how is his injury record?
 

roseguy64

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De Gea
James Lindelof Maguire Shaw
Matic/Fred/Scott
VdB Pogba
Bruno
Rashford Martial

Seems a good team with tons of potential and star quality, if (big if) James can develop into that role.
James isn't strong enough to play RB. Maybe as a RWB chasing a game.
 

sammsky1

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The last time I saw Ajax play was against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge in the UCL and they lined up in a 4-2-3-1 formation with VdB and Martinez in a double pivot and Ziyech as the most advanced midfielder.

I honestly believe if we sign him then I can see Ole trying him as the holding midfielder against the so called lesser teams. He has the tactical and technical game to play the role along with the discipline. Dutch players are tactically very well drilled especially those coming through at Ajax due to the emphasis being on dominating possession which requires good positional understanding, technique and discipline which-in turn creates passing options/triangles. Against the better teams you'd ideally like someone more disciplined next to him with either Pogba or Fernandes dropped to the bench which would provide better defensive balance.

The question will always be if he can succesfully transition his game to the EPL, but if he does, then I can see him start every big game we play as long as he's available due to the balance he provides both defensively and offensively.

He's a player that adds intensity on and off the ball which would really help us maintain a high tempo in games which would help Ole greatly in implementing his style on the team.
Great analysis. From the very little I’ve seen of him, I agree, especially about his power and stamina which will help us press and retrieve.
What does that mean for McT, Fred and Matic? Why did we give Matic a new contract?!
 

Strelok

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As does Pogba. Wondering if the deal goes through, and it's 90% it will unless Spurs come in at the eleventh hour that Ole intends to use VdB as a no.6 to rotate with Matic as he's got the passing range to excel there, and is slightly quicker than the Serb, and to be available to spell Fernandes and/or Pogba when they are injured/need a rest, and play alongside Matic/Fred or the seriously underrated McTominay.


Sometimes it's needs must, as talented as he is, he hasn't pulled up any trees on his return and I think even his biggest fans would admit that, and as appears we need extra funds for the rebuild he is one of the few in the squad who should bring in enough to help on that score as selling Fernandes or one of the front three is a no-no.

Dunno about Sergio Reguilón as he's a new name to me, and he didn't do anything in the Semi-Final to suggest he's a must buy if available but we seriously need an upgrade on Shaw and he's the flavour of the month, and at a club who are one of the few that could afford to pay near to what we'd want for the underachieving Pogba. The only problem with that is Real would want a buy-back clause in Reguilón's contract and if he did well at United we'd be polishing/developing a player for their benefit and only make a few £'s for the privilege.
I don't believe in the Spurs rumors. They don't even play in the CL next season. And they don't offer good wages.

Madrid or Barcelona seem off, imo he'll sign for us. The deal would be announced pretty soon this week I think.
 

Chief123

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You should always use the bulk of your funds into the best you can get to improve the starting 11, you don’t have to be a 14 yr old Fifa player to believe that, I’m a 35 yr old Fifa player. ;)
Oh nice! I’m a 38 year old Fifa player. We should play a game or two!
 

AjaxNL

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There are some similarities in their play, but mostly in their appearance, so the comparison is easily made.

However, as a player, Donny is miles ahead of Davy Klaassen. Most Ajax fans were actually pretty happy to see Klaassen leave, as he was thought to be too limited technically for the level Ajax want to be at. Klaassen was extremely important in Ajax' pressing play and he had a knack of scoring important goals, but other than that he would go missing for large parts of the game.

Now Donny is on another level to Klaassen. he's equally important in the pressing play of Ajax, but he is much more influential in the overall game. Contrary to Klaassen, Donny is involved in the build up play, setting up attacks, making himself available for the pass. Klaassen was useless in that aspect. that's why Donny has been played in front of the defence as well as #10, which would never have been possible for Klaassen. Donny's first touch isn't fancy, but brilliant in its functionality. He reads the game well. His workrate is amazing. Donny gets in the box himself quite regularly and you can count on him to score 10-15 goals in all competitions, in a full season.

My only only doubt is, whether he can pick up the level of the premierleague. I would think he can, as he was brilliant in Ajax' 2018/19 CL season. But, given the intensity and speed of the PL, I just hope that his strenghts hold up. Time will tell I guess, but I have high hopes for him and will be closely following United. It's a shame that he is leaving, but he has been with Ajax for 15 years and I think most fans are happy for him with this move.

United was my favourite foreign team growing up, but to be entirely honest it was pretty hard to like United for the last 10 years (and yes, I include the last Fergie years in here as well, in which I found very little United games to be enjoyable to watch). This new team you're building, with Rashford, Pogba, Bruno, Martial, Greenwood and hopefully Donny will at the very least be entertaining. Whether it is good enough to win top prizes still remains to be seen ofcourse.
 
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