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

Sjaakmeoff said:

Remember everyone talking about Ajax' Tadic compared to Southampton's Tadic?

He's one of the reasons why.

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Can you expand that a bit?

MetoTTT said:

What about Suarez, Zlatan, Seedorf, Davids, Overmars, Van Basten, De Boer brothers, Kluivert, De Jong, Bergkamp, VDS, Rijkard, Gullit, Stam?

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I think you misunderstood. Ajax Tadic has been amazing. VDB is part of the reason why.

amolbhatia50k said:

Can we spend 50 million on a squad player?

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I’m assuming that’s the money we would have used for Bellingham. The noises about him choosing Dortmund and us enquiring about VDB all started up around the same time. Neither are nailed on starters. They would be expensive squad players for next year.

If we were told we’d be getting a RW, Ighalo extended and a versatile midfielder in we’d all have taken that this summer. I think lingard is as good as gone since he hired Mino. I can’t see us breaking the bank to keep him. I’m Assuming his fee will go towards a replacement. Smalling Rojo and lingard to leave this summer.

Ali Dia said:

I’m assuming that’s the money we would have used for Bellingham. The noises about him choosing Dortmund and us enquiring about VDB all started up around the same time. Neither are nailed on starters. They would be expensive squad players for next year.

If we were told we’d be getting a RW, Ighalo extended and a versatile midfielder in we’d all have taken that this summer. I think lingard is as good as gone since he hired Mino. I can’t see us breaking the bank to keep him. I’m Assuming his fee will go towards a replacement. Smalling Rojo and lingard to leave this summer.

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We were going to spend 50 million on Bellingham. For that money, you need a starter of considerable quality. No idea if that's VDB.

amolbhatia50k said:

We were going to spend 50 million on Bellingham. For that money, you need a starter of considerable quality. No idea if that's VDB.

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Crazy money for Bellingham. I'd rather pay that for someone who actually won titles and played in the Champions League

All this is a work by the agent to give RM a kick in the ass to sign him. They were meant to sign him last summer and it didn't happen.

IMO they've changed their minds and want Camavinga now instead. Poor old Donny.

Well, we might be bait too. Woodward and van der Sar are close. Woodward might let him use us as a favour.

I see a few poster, the usual suspects, commit the fallacy of making assumptions based on assumptions. If you dont think Man Utd should buy him and they end up buying him, your opinions probably differ. Maybe on several areas.

Maybe you know better than them, but on what area are they likely to be wrong? How we want to play going forward? What we will be needing? Who is likely to leave? de Beeks quality and ability?

He is not my first choice either, but I trust OGS, Carrick and our scouts. It is also worth noting that both Juve and Real Madrid have shown interest in the player (RM looked certain to buy him up until football stopped). He is 23 and proven in the CL. In fact, he was a key player for an Ajax team that reached the semi final in the CL at the age of 21/22. If you can get a midfielder like that for £30-40 mill, in a market where Maddison/Grealish is quoted at £80 mill, we might just consider it a good opportunity.

Web of Bissaka said:

Get him first.

Ask qs how to fit him in later.

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What could possibly go wrong?

amolbhatia50k said:

We were going to spend 50 million on Bellingham. For that money, you need a starter of considerable quality. No idea if that's VDB.

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Who's reported that Bellingham to Dortmund is done?

It is also interesting to note that he has played in several different positions with different task and responsibility in the CL and EL this year. He is a very flexible player.

amolbhatia50k said:

We were going to spend 50 million on Bellingham. For that money, you need a starter of considerable quality. No idea if that's VDB.

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No, no we wasn't

Gerald G said:

You do realise we're still in the current season and the transfer window is closed? Right???

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From my understanding the 2020 summer window opens on Wednesday (June 10) and that means that the PL clubs can buy players from that date but they can only register new players from July 1.

The 19/20 season restarts June 17 and United will play 4 games until July 1. I honestly don’t know if the PL clubs are allowed to strengthen their squads and use their new players when the 2020 summer transfer window officially opens? (July 1)

Maybe there is a mutual agreement between all PL clubs to not use new players as long as the 19/20 season goes on. I haven’t heard anything about that.

Anyway my point is that the best period to buy new players is from June 10 until the 19/20 starts in June 17. After that hopefully the manager and the club has full focus on upcoming games.

Off course we can buy players after the 19/20 seasons ends but with a short period between that date until the 20/21 season starts I think it’s wiser to finalize as many transfers as possible before June 17.

I fully understand that Sancho, Grealish and probably many other transfer targets still play competitive football in that time but as far as I know Van de Beek‘s 19/20 season has ended so that’s why I find this transfer mouthwatering. It gives Ole and his management longer time to evaluate him before he‘s available to play offic games. If it’s legal we can use him after July 1. But most importantly we need more quality players as back ups for Bruno and Pogba when next season starts.

If we buy Van de Beek I think he will get plenty of games, probably 30-40 games before the seasons ends. For a reported fee in the region of €30-40m I personally think that’s a steal if we factor his CV.

We have several players who are excellent with the ball on their feet’s. Martial. Rashford. Mata. Pogba. Bruno.

We also have plenty of hard working and energetic destroyer like McT And Fred. What we lack is intelligent players who can exploit open spaces and take advantage of unorganized defensives. I see similarities between Van de Beek and a young Lampard and Müller. Sometimes his passing style reminds me of Iniesta (off course of a much lower level) but anyway. In my opinion this young man has qualities that we atm don’t have in our current squad.

Feel free to disagree but that’s my take on this.

WelshManc said:

Does anyone here want him? I'll be honest I haven't seen hardly anything of him so I'm just watching a YouTube video, as we all do, and I can't say I seem impressed by him, I don't see how he fits into a midfield with PP and Bruno. He just seems like he's always in a number 10 position in the clips. I'd rather use the money for him and get an actual destroyer for the CDM position.

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We've lacked that Park Ji Sung sorta player who'll give us a solid 7 performance per game. There were the occasional 9s as well and that's how I see VDB as. He's a player capable of playing as a 6, 8, 10 as well as RM and will give you a 7. And that's because he's an intelligent player who does not need to depend on skill, strength or fitness to outwit the opposition. These sorts of players also last longer in the game because they adapt to the situation. I think it's a very shrewd buy.

beingshe7don said:

We've lacked that Park Ji Sung sorta player who'll give us a solid 7 performance per game. There were the occasional 9s as well and that's how I see VDB as. He's a player capable of playing as a 6, 8, 10 as well as RM and will give you a 7. And that's because he's an intelligent player who does not need to depend on skill, strength or fitness to outwit the opposition. These sorts of players also last longer in the game because they adapt to the situation. I think it's a very shrewd buy.

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This post needs more numbers.

amolbhatia50k said:

We were going to spend 50 million on Bellingham. For that money, you need a starter of considerable quality. No idea if that's VDB.

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Not a chance that figure is correct, try half that at best.

crossy1686 said:

Who's reported that Bellingham to Dortmund is done?

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Nobody.

reelworld said:

Crazy money for Bellingham. I'd rather pay that for someone who actually won titles and played in the Champions League

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I meant to put a question mark there. Not sure where this 50 million is coming from. I thought 25-30 was the rumoured number and even those tend to be inflated.

GledTheRed said:

Not a chance that figure is correct, try half that at best.

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I think so too.

charlenefan said:

No, no we wasn't

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I agree.

crossy1686 said:

Who's reported that Bellingham to Dortmund is done?

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No idea.

Adnan said:

There's plenty of Ajax fans on their forums who believe he should play deeper in a midfield with Pogba and Fernandes.

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Deeper perhaps but I don't see many wanting him to play as a #6. I've seen most Ajax fans saying that he's better with freedom to go forward so either an attacking #8 or a #10. If we do sign him then it'll be interesting to see where he plays and whether he plays ahead of Bruno or vice versa. I can see an argument for either.

I think our midfield is still a bit of a quandary. So when our players are all fit, you look at a core group of Pogba, Bruno, Fred, McTominay and Matic and feel fairly pleased. It isn’t perfect. I don’t think the combinations are certain to work. But they’re all good players, some of them great. Garner and Gomes are promising lads and, in a pinch, Pereira and Lingard at least have two sets of legs. So you look at our options and think ‘well, where does this other central attacking midfielder fit in?’

Then you strip it back some more. Pogba leaves and suddenly Bruno is left a big creative burden. Gomes is no guarantee to excel, or even stay. Matic may leave in a year anyway. As for Pereira and Lingard; well, they’ve got two sets of legs but that’s about it. Ideally, they’d be on the bench at Watford. All of a sudden, within the short space of twelve months, we’re three or four midfielders short and left with only Bruno, Fred and McTominay as solid options in midfield.

As such, I think I’ll take all of the good, solid midfielders we can get our hands on. For too long we’ve been playing catch up re. squad building. We should be looking to get ahead.

Kag said:

I think our midfield is still a bit of a quandary. So when our players are all fit, you look at a core group of Pogba, Bruno, Fred, McTominay and Matic and feel fairly pleased. It isn’t perfect. I don’t think the combinations are certain to work. But they’re all good players, some of them great. Garner and Gomes are promising lads and, in a pinch, Pereira and Lingard at least have two sets of legs. So you look at our options and think ‘well, where does this other central attacking midfielder fit in?’

Then you strip it back some more. Pogba leaves and suddenly Bruno is left a big creative burden. Gomes is no guarantee to excel, or even stay. Matic may leave in a year anyway. As for Pereira and Lingard; well, they’ve got two sets of legs but that’s about it. Ideally, they’d be on the bench at Watford. All of a sudden, within the short space of twelve months, we’re three or four midfielders short and left with only Bruno, Fred and McTominay as solid options in midfield.

As such, I think I’ll take all of the good, solid midfielders we can get our hands on. For too long we’ve been playing catch up re. squad building. We should be looking to get ahead.

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Here here!

I don’t see Grealish as the answer to a midfield option too expensive and not enough experience in CM roles.

DVB offers a great mix of everything really and I’m increasingly convinced he’d be a very positive option to have in the squad. If he kicks out Pereira at least I’d be happy.

His decision to stay an extra year at Ajax seems to show a maturity and respect and I’ve not heard a bad thing said about him in the media (had a look around).

Kag said:

I think our midfield is still a bit of a quandary. So when our players are all fit, you look at a core group of Pogba, Bruno, Fred, McTominay and Matic and feel fairly pleased. It isn’t perfect. I don’t think the combinations are certain to work. But they’re all good players, some of them great. Garner and Gomes are promising lads and, in a pinch, Pereira and Lingard at least have two sets of legs. So you look at our options and think ‘well, where does this other central attacking midfielder fit in?’

Then you strip it back some more. Pogba leaves and suddenly Bruno is left a big creative burden. Gomes is no guarantee to excel, or even stay. Matic may leave in a year anyway. As for Pereira and Lingard; well, they’ve got two sets of legs but that’s about it. Ideally, they’d be on the bench at Watford. All of a sudden, within the short space of twelve months, we’re three or four midfielders short and left with only Bruno, Fred and McTominay as solid options in midfield.

As such, I think I’ll take all of the good, solid midfielders we can get our hands on. For too long we’ve been playing catch up re. squad building. We should be looking to get ahead.

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Agree with all of that. Especially the line in bold.

Would hate for us to divert all of the ridiculously high expectations of Pogba directly onto Bruno. I think he has the character to take it but it's a burden nevertheless.

We need top players to compliment other top players, not swapping one for another and heaping the same bullsh*t onto the next guy who isn't peak Zidane every game.

So much of what we should do this to make sure we're properly stocked for 20/21 depends on whether Pogba stays or goes.

If Pogba stays, it's hard to see us really needing to strengthen our midfield. Bruno is a revelation. Fred and McTominay have developed fantastically this season and Matic has regained some of his old form. Lingard has been gash, but Pereira fills out the squad well enough for a 5th or 6th choice midfielder. Gomes has earned the right to be given a chance. Garner seems promising. Unless we're going to get rid of two of Pogba, Bruno, Fred, McTominay and Matic it's hard to see a justification for bringing in a top shelf midfielder. Maybe one for the future or a model squad player if we get rid Lingard and Pereira, but that's about it. I'd love to bring in Partey or Saul, but at the same time I've really been impressed with Fred and McTominay this season, although neither are the polished gem as a holding mid.

Need to see how things play out through the end of the season and what the future holds for Pogba. If we sell Pogba then we really should be taking a look at Grealish.

I love VDB playstyle. Off the ball very well, doesn't need too much touch. His only weakness is lack of key passes which we have Pogba or Bruno to solve the problem.

Don't expect him to play with Pogba and Bruno together but it would be fantastic to have such a quality player to rotate.

lex talionis said:

So much of what we should do this to make sure we're properly stocked for 20/21 depends on whether Pogba stays or goes.

If Pogba stays, it's hard to see us really needing to strengthen our midfield. Bruno is a revelation. Fred and McTominay have developed fantastically this season and Matic has regained some of his old form. Lingard has been gash, but Pereira fills out the squad well enough for a 5th or 6th choice midfielder. Gomes has earned the right to be given a chance. Garner seems promising. Unless we're going to get rid of two of Pogba, Bruno, Fred, McTominay and Matic it's hard to see a justification for bringing in a top shelf midfielder. Maybe one for the future or a model squad player if we get rid Lingard and Pereira, but that's about it. I'd love to bring in Partey or Saul, but at the same time I've really been impressed with Fred and McTominay this season, although neither are the polished gem as a holding mid.

Need to see how things play out through the end of the season and what the future holds for Pogba. If we sell Pogba then we really should be taking a look at Grealish.

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Paul Pogba will leave next season though. He would therefore need to be replaced. Also next year the transfer market will be back to normal so there is no way we can get a player of Donny Van De Beeks quality for 36 million pounds. If he is keen on joining, just get it done now. It would mean the Paul Pogba replacement would already be sorted.

If Sancho is not happening, I like this signing/interest. If we have to choose between Sancho or Donny. It's Sancho any day of the week. I worry though, are we likely to only make one signing this window? If so, does this shift in interest mean we've moved on from Sancho?

WPMUFC said:

If Sancho is not happening, I like this signing/interest. If we have to choose between Sancho or Donny. It's Sancho any day of the week. I worry though, are we likely to only make one signing this window? If so, does this shift in interest mean we've moved on from Sancho?

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I think he'd be a cheaper alternative to Grealish for a versatile squad addition, whether Pogba stays of goes I don't see VdB starting, but with the amount if games we play and undoubted injuries he's an upgrade on Pereira/Lingard/Mata and more versatile then them..

He can be used like Fred as an energetic pressing CM in my opinion but to me his movement is almost identical to Lingard's when attacking - almost to the point where I think Lingard is leaving and Ole value's what Lingard brings to the squad too much to possibly let that completely go missing.

I personally think Donny is the fallback option of Grealish proves too expensive. Granted they're not the same position... but both flexible, which I think is the point.

WPMUFC said:

If Sancho is not happening, I like this signing/interest. If we have to choose between Sancho or Donny. It's Sancho any day of the week. I worry though, are we likely to only make one signing this window? If so, does this shift in interest mean we've moved on from Sancho?

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Dont think this excludes Sancho in any way or form.

spaceboyRSA said:

I personally think Donny is the fallback option of Grealish proves too expensive. Granted they're not the same position... but both flexible, which I think is the point.

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Whats flexible about VDB? That he has some ball winning ability but also gets forward to score? Thats at most 2 positions which is extremely standard for a midfielder

This is the agent talking and Zidane doesn't fancy him in his team. RM don't have a pot to p.ss in at the moment, so the agent drumming up new 'solutions'.

Ekeke said:

Whats flexible about VDB? That he has some ball winning ability but also gets forward to score? Thats at most 2 positions which is extremely standard for a midfielder

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Probably the fact that he, over time, at a young age has proven that he can play in different positions in midfielf and add adjust his game when he do.

But dont suit the agenda or WhoScored-analysis (probably would if you did it better).

Ekeke said:

Whats flexible about VDB? That he has some ball winning ability but also gets forward to score? Thats at most 2 positions which is extremely standard for a midfielder

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andersj said:

Probably the fact that he, over time, at a young age has proven that he can play in different positions in midfielf and add adjust his game when he do.

But dont suit the agenda or WhoScored-analysis (probably would if you did it better).

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Yup

andersj said:

Probably the fact that he, over time, at a young age has proven that he can play in different positions in midfielf and add adjust his game when he do.

But dont suit the agenda or WhoScored-analysis (probably would if you did it better).

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So nothing then. He can play several central midfield roles, like any standard central midfielder. He cant play in attack, or off the wing, which is what Grealish's flexibility is. Just a random word to attribute to him and a butthurt poster

Ekeke said:

So nothing then. He can play several central midfield roles, like any standard central midfielder. He cant play in attack, or off the wing, which is what Grealish's flexibility is. Just a random word to attribute to him and a butthurt poster

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Or like any player. Or human, if you wanna put it at a stretch. So everyone is really flexibel. But point with Donny is that he has been good in several position at a high level. And no, you cant say that about «any standard midfielder».

This won't happen i'm pretty sure of that. We currently have 4 CM's for 2 positions + Garner/Levitt coming through.

Smells of Ajax just trying to force Madrid's hand into keeping their deal.

Ekeke said:

So nothing then. He can play several central midfield roles, like any standard central midfielder. He cant play in attack, or off the wing, which is what Grealish's flexibility is. Just a random word to attribute to him and a butthurt poster

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Sorry, how was I butthurt? Seems you getting quite worked up over some transfer gossip and mild opinions. I would imagine COVID lockdown is getting to you

Adam-Utd said:

This won't happen i'm pretty sure of that. We currently have 4 CM's for 2 positions + Garner/Levitt coming through.

Smells of Ajax just trying to force Madrid's hand into keeping their deal.

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Eh, if Bruno gets injured, who is there to cover #10 again?

spaceboyRSA said:

Sorry, how was I butthurt? Seems you getting quite worked up over some transfer gossip and mild opinions. I would imagine COVID lockdown is getting to you

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Not you, the other lowercase. Seems you are now

theklr said:

Eh, if Bruno gets injured, who is there to cover #10 again?

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VDB isn't a classical 10 either.

Pogba/Pereira/Gomes/Lingard or just switch to a 4-3-3 and use Fred/Mctominay/Matic etc

While 50m doesn't sound too bad price wise unless we're clearing out a few players we don't even have space in the squad? Pretty sure we've used up our 25 registered players already.