He had some good games early on. In the 5-0 against Leipzig at home he helped our midfield resist the press with his quick passing and good control helping out AWB high up the pitch which they planned to expose, he was immense that night and covered the ground in 70 mins to what Fred did in 90mins, it's criminal he didn't play the return game. Changed the game when he came on against Newcastle away and we then scored a bunch in the last part of the game. He did great at moving the ball forward quickly.
It didn't seem like Ole really noticed what he was bringing and I feel we'd be in the CL if he played against Leipzig away and we didn't switch to some silly 3 at the back which they rinsed AWB from the first minute. That was the perfect game to add Donny when Fred was sent off to PSG.
His performances since have not been good at all sadly, doesn't seem to be able to connect with the play like before and has lost what role he is which is not that surprising. I feel sorry we spent that much in a pandemic and wasted a year of a top Ajax player and hope we can find a club for him and get most of the money back. Does not seem at all he is some Pogba replacement like some thought, not like for like of course.
The weird thing is Ole was supposedly key to bringing him here yet there isn't a day that goes by without someone posting Ole never wanted him. I even recall some interview with Donny saying something similar to how Ole convinced him.
"In an ‘inside story’ of how the Red Devils won the race for Van de Beek’s signature, The Athletic’s Adam Crafton revealed this morning that the key figure in the deal was manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
‘Before committing to the transfer, [Van de Beek] insisted upon holding talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer,’ Crafton explains.
‘Those familiar with the deal say that Van de Beek came off the phone immediately convinced by the Norwegian’s pitch.
‘Van de Beek was excited to hear how Solskjaer would fit him into United’s midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes.
‘Solskjaer’s response was said to be authoritative.’
The reporter confirms that although other clubs were also in the race to sign the midfielder, Solskjaer’s intervention had convinced him that his future lay with United.
‘Reports over the weekend indicated serious interest from Tottenham and Barcelona in Van de Beek. Members of Barcelona manager Ronald Koeman’s backroom staff are believed to have a strong relationship with the player.
‘It is true the two clubs were kept abreast but it is also the case that after speaking to Solskjaer, Van de Beek’s representatives made clear that the player’s future would lie at Old Trafford.
‘Throughout the whole process, including Real Madrid, Solskjaer is the only manager outside of Ajax who has spoken to Van de Beek about a transfer.’
He came from Ajax razor sharp, seeing our players constantly give the ball away while we have such a top player not involved lose sharpness is really maddening. He should've played more and raised the standards.
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