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

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Berbasbullet

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My expectation is that he comes as a starter.

Pogba's role has changed to be a deep lying player to get him on the ball more, while Fernandes plays the 10 and the other midfielder does the pressing and is the spare user of the ball when the opposition presses Pogba in possession.

Its the role Fred played in the last couple of games and I think VDB is an upgrade for that job.
I think he is too, I think like you said he plays Fred’s role and Fred, Mctominay and Matic are their cover. I don’t think Ole believes in pure defensive midfielders.

Maybe we’re looking at a more systemic high press and he apparently is very good at that.
 

Jonno

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Hang on, I thought there was a conspiracy that we weren’t signing anyone?

This Is an excellent signing and arguably the most important. He’s a fit-as-a-fiddle, pressing, attacking, box to box engine, can score, create, defend. Impressive signing and the type of player we don’t normally get.
 

Squeaky Bumtime

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Matic isn’t a DM? What would you class him as if not?

I would say he’s the very definition of a DM personally but do agree with the point that the DM role is different now and the typical Makelele role isn’t used anymore.
He isn't a very definition of DM, not Makelele type as you say but then again Makelele types are rare these days. He's more like Carrick imo who wasnt a DM but more a deep lying playmaker. Matić is defensively astute but can play from the deep too and organize plays.
 

Sultan

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Ole is actually following United's DNA footballing style as much as possible with the personnel at his disposal. United have never played with a pure defensive midfielder. DvB is very likely to cover a number of positions.
 

Jim Beam

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I would say he’s the very definition of a DM personally but do agree with the point that the DM role is different now and the typical Makelele role isn’t used anymore.
You can call him a holding midfielder than if you like, but the role is still there and it is pretty essential to every team. He still sits in front of the back 4.
 

Inigo Montoya

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I never seen him play, is he starting 11 quality or more of a bench option?
We need players who fit both.

If you look at SAFs peak period Utd line ups and take a peek at the subs bench, you'd find players like:Giggs,Saha,Alan Smith. Quality right through the squad is what we need. Bruno or Pogba may need to take a break and start on the bench now and again. Then there's cup games,UCL games followed by PL games. If we think we can go into a new season and the best we can bring on is Fred,Scott,Lingard etc, we'll be mid table before you know it
 

CG1010

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He seems to be a player who can't really be judged based on Youtube compilations. By all records his main strengths are off the ball movement and general play which don't form part of the highlights.
 

Inigo Montoya

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In this day and age, transfers seem to play out in reverse. Players agree terms well before the clubs do. Fingers crossed this can be done today.
Thing is, he wanted to go before it was all confirmed so this time it was a case of the fee being accepted first. The way it should be done, the rest is a formality.

At any rate what difference does it make if it's today or midweek? It's not as if we've got a game he needs to play in
 

Inigo Montoya

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He seems to be a player who can't really be judged based on Youtube compilations. By all records his main strengths are off the ball movement and general play which don't form part of the highlights.
No players should be judged solely on Youtube reels.
 

Jonno

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Thing is, he wanted to go before it was all confirmed so this time it was a case of the fee being accepted first. The way it should be done, the rest is a formality.

At any rate what difference does it make if it's today or midweek? It's not as if we've got a game he needs to play in
Purely for muppetry purposes, this lot have needed feeding with a transfer since the window opened :lol:
 

Inigo Montoya

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Roy Keane wasn’t a defensive midfielder for most of his career. This not Makelele we are talking about here.

Have you ever seen a defensive midfielder put in the kind of performance he did in Turin?

Keane in his 30s was a different player because he no longer had the mobility he had previously, and was therefore much more defensively minded.

Him and Viera in their pomp would dominate in today’s game.
You mean....over Jordan Henderson? :eek:
 

Dante

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All touches against Real Madrid last year. I think this video gives a better idea of his strengths and weaknesses than the highlights compilations further up the thread.

What stands out for me is his speed of decision making. Very similar to Bruno in that particular respect.

He looks like a footballer who knows how to do the basics without hesitation (which is a lot rarer than it sounds). I wouldn't be surprised if he could slot into any position on the pitch apart from possibly CB or goalkeeper. It looks like he's being played as an AM, but he seems press resistant enough to play as DM against a high press. Of course, he'd also need to have a defensive awareness for that role that isn't demonstrated in this video, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since he apparently played that position earlier in his career.

I know I've already mentioned a similarity to Bruno. But the more I see of him, the more I'm reminded of Park.
 
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Beanz

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I just...I know we're excited and all but no one is addressing an important issue. I've seen several posters refer to him as DvB and I can't fathom why as clearly VDB is the more superior option.

Personable nicknames is the foundation on which we're built on and if we can't sort that then surely what is the point?
 

future2future

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Very nice! Multi functional and I wouldn't be surprised if he becomes a very important player for us. Also adding the much needed squad depth.
 

Dante

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I just...I know we're excited and all but no one is addressing an important issue. I've seen several posters refer to him as DvB and I can't fathom why as clearly VDB is the more superior option.

Personable nicknames is the foundation on which we're built on and if we can't sort that then surely what is the point?
Van der Sar was VdS. This guy needs to be VdB.
 

balaks

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Good player, not sure where he fits in your team though which makes me feel like its a slightly strange signing for you guys. Definitely strengthens your squad though.
 

Inigo Montoya

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All touches against Real Madrid last year. I think this video gives a better idea of his strengths and weaknesses than the highlights compilations further up the thread.

What stands out for me is his speed of decision making. Very similar to Bruno in that particular respect.

He looks like a footballer who knows how to do the basics without hesitation (which is a lot rarer than it sounds). I wouldn't be surprised if he could slot into any position on the pitch apart from possibly CB or goalkeeper. It looks like he's being played as an AM, but he seems press resistant enough to play against as DM against a high press. Of course, he'd also need to have decent defensive awareness for that role, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since he apparently played that position earlier in his career.

I know I've already mentioned a similarity to Bruno. But the more I see of him, the more I'm reminded of Park.
Nice to see the piss being taken out of RM :lol:

He certainly has that intelligence that Ajax value so much in their players: The quick decision making,keeping the ball moving..

Hope to see Ole implement that in the side
 

Berbasbullet

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All touches against Real Madrid last year. I think this video gives a better idea of his strengths and weaknesses than the highlights compilations further up the thread.

What stands out for me is his speed of decision making. Very similar to Bruno in that particular respect.

He looks like a footballer who knows how to do the basics without hesitation (which is a lot rarer than it sounds). I wouldn't be surprised if he could slot into any position on the pitch apart from possibly CB or goalkeeper. It looks like he's being played as an AM, but he seems press resistant enough to play as DM against a high press. Of course, he'd also need to have a defensive awareness for that role that isn't demonstrated in this video, but I'll give him the benefit of the doubt since he apparently played that position earlier in his career.

I know I've already mentioned a similarity to Bruno. But the more I see of him, the more I'm reminded of Park.
Thanks for this, interesting player! I think this has helped me manage my expectations on him, looks a good player!
 

White Fury

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Imagine we sign DVB for 40 mil. then at the very last day of transfer window we sign Sancho for something like 90 mil. + bonuses. :drool: Do you guys think this is possible under our board ? Or its just me daydreaming :lol:
 

Volumiza

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Just like this transfer has popped up from under the radar while all the chatter has been about Grealish, I wonder if the same will happen for RW and a striker?
 

Moiraine

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Ole is actually following United's DNA footballing style as much as possible with the personnel at his disposal. United have never played with a pure defensive midfielder. DvB is very likely to cover a number of positions.
United changed/altered their DNA when Ronaldo was grooming, Fergie realized, sold RVN and went ahead with a mobile front three of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo. Berbatov was a bad signing in my opinion and we are witnessing the effects of that until now. Our squad is broken and a lot if effort has been put in to repair that.

United will play with a defense midfielder and I don’t see it changing anytime soon, otherwise teams of the likes of liverpool, city will eat our defense.
 

Fluctuation0161

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How are you baffled by them when you answer yourself in the next sentence?

Good player, but it feels like we’re trying to fill a hole that doesn’t exist in the team.

I’ll be more sold on him if we can sign 2-3 more players, so perhaps it’s just the order of them that’s puzzling me.
We need squad depth. He helps with that for CM/AM.

We still need another 2 signings minimum imo.
 

Inigo Montoya

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Just like this transfer has popped up from under the radar while all the chatter has been about Grealish, I wonder if the same will happen for RW and a striker?
There's been chatter about Grealish? I've only seen this and it looks like pure muppetry :lol: . He'd cost twice as much and I know who I'd prefer
 

Inigo Montoya

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United changed/altered their DNA when Ronaldo was grooming, Fergie realized, sold RVN and went ahead with a mobile front three of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo. Berbatov was a bad signing in my opinion and we are witnessing the effects of that until now. Our squad is broken and a lot if effort has been put in to repair that.

United will play with a defense midfielder and I don’t see it changing anytime soon, otherwise teams of the likes of liverpool, city will eat our defense.
I laughed way more than I should
 

devilish

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Good post. But just on the last part, when you're part of a generation, you are moulded by it. Keane would be a feisty character but he would naturally be tempered version as it would be ingrained in him throughout his youth/growing phase.
Maybe you're right. Keane himself said that he grew up in a dangerous area were buildings would be bombed to smithereens while kids like himself were playing football. However would Keane push himself to the limit if stripped of his demons?That argument is common with maverick geniuses in other areas such as the Caravaggio. Would Keane have kept his demons at bay if he didn't met Sir Alex who turned this shy guy into his Gregor Clegane? After all the same rabid dog who snapped at everyone towards the end of his career remained composed when Clough punched him even though he could have easily killed the guy if he wanted to.That's the type of philosophical what ifs I tend to avoid getting involved in.

Therefore as a player there's no doubt that Keane would walk into any team. He is a complete midfielder with more class than most players currently playing in his position. If the likes of Matic, Fabinho, Rodri, Matuidi and co can play at top clubs then so can Keane in his prime. Would his character fit in with this generation though? I can see him do well with the likes of Bruno who share his ethos. I can't say the same with most of the other players. Can you imagine how Keane would act if surrounded by the likes of Lingard, Lindelof and Pogba? I shiver at the thought.
 

cyberman

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United changed/altered their DNA when Ronaldo was grooming, Fergie realized, sold RVN and went ahead with a mobile front three of Rooney, Tevez and Ronaldo. Berbatov was a bad signing in my opinion and we are witnessing the effects of that until now. Our squad is broken and a lot if effort has been put in to repair that.

United will play with a defense midfielder and I don’t see it changing anytime soon, otherwise teams of the likes of liverpool, city will eat our defense.
Utd had mobile strikers long before Ronaldo came along. Cole / Yorke / Ole and even Teddy were mobile forwards.
 
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