[Bebestation]

That last paragraph is funny. It’s very difficult to do anything of note, when you’ve not had much of a chance

And the whole squad was playing a bit meh before Bruno came here.

Van de Beek on the other hand only ever seems to come on as a substitute for Bruno (our best player) and hardly gets to play with him in the same first 11 which must effect his gameplay too.

Van De Beek especially is a goalscorer from midfield more than a creator and once the creator like Bruno comes off - I dont really know who sets up Van de Beeks intelligent runs.

 

[Chief123]

And the whole squad was playing a bit meh before Bruno came here.

Van de Beek on the other hand only ever seems to come on as a substitute for Bruno (our best player) and hardly gets to play with him in the same first 11 which must effect his gameplay too.

Van De Beek especially is a goalscorer from midfield more than a creator and once the creator like Bruno comes off - I dont really know who sets up Van de Beeks intelligent runs.

I find the criticism of him very surprising on here. He’s literally played well in virtually every game or cameo he’s played barring one where the whole team was crap in the first half against West Ham.

A lot here will eat their words in the future when he gets a run of games and they realise how good he is.

 

[KirkDuyt]

That last paragraph is funny. It’s very difficult to do anything of note, when you’ve not had much of a chance

If he'd been killing it in training and showed class in his appearances he would've had more chances though, dont you think? Bruno got plenty of chances right away since it was clear he was very good.

 

[Chief123]

If he'd been killing it in training and showed class in his appearances he would've had more chances though, dont you think? Bruno got plenty of chances right away since it was clear he was very good.

You don’t think he’s played well in the games he’s featured in?

Killing it in games doesn’t really guarantee you games. Our best centre back performance so far this season was Tuanzebe against PSG. He got dropped the next game and has barely featured yet we have AWB, Lindelof and Maguire who have put some awful performances in at times but get picked every game. So that logic doesn’t really work.

 

[JJ12]

If he'd been killing it in training and showed class in his appearances he would've had more chances though, dont you think? Bruno got plenty of chances right away since it was clear he was very good.

Or he’s not playing because of Bruno playing a similar position

 

[Crashoutcassius]

Good opportunity tonight, hopefully he takes it , no excuses either way and no panic if he doesn't hopefully.

 

[horsechoker]

It's getting quite hard to see where he fits in, he continues to look lost with very little influence on the game.

Perhaps his United career hinges on Pogba departing otherwise he looks like a luxury player.

 

[Sassy Colin]

Must be the Forum's most overrated player.

If Pogba leaves in the summer and VDB replaces him, we're in trouble.

 

[el3mel]

I'm honestly starting to feel extremely disappointed.

 

[NinjaFletch]

What worries me the most about Donny is that I can't even see the supposed glimpses of quality to make me think he can be an asset for us. It's all just so, so bland.

At this point, I would me more surprised if he made it here than I would be to see him back at Ajax in 2022 at a £15-20m loss for us.

I'm also not sure I've ever seen him take more than two touches when he's passed to.

 

[Jaae]

He's a drifter. Just roams around when we're in possession then disappears when we're not. He doesn't seem to like having the ball at his feet.

 

[bond19821982]

His runs are continuously and completely being ignored by everyone. Sad state of affairs. He would just be another normal player if we dont play to what he excels at.

 

[DWelbz19]

His runs are continuously and completely being ignored by everyone. Sad state of affairs. He would just be another normal player if we dont play to what he excels at.

Yeah, I’ve said it before, and it sounds a little bit wordy, but, he’s a ‘system player’, and we’re a side of individual freedom in the final third. I don’t think we’ll ever see him at his very best here. He just doesn’t fit, truly.

 

[Art]

We shouldn’t be too quick to judge. Give him a year to get settled in.

 

[432JuanMata]

I can now see why he doesn’t start he is better than what we have seen but I didn’t see the reason we bought him. He has made our squad stronger at least he comes on instead of Lingard etc but he definitely doesn’t deserve or shown enough to be starting week in week out

 

[acnumber9]

His runs are continuously and completely being ignored by everyone. Sad state of affairs. He would just be another normal player if we dont play to what he excels at.

What’s the point in passing to him when he just passes it straight back to you? Needs to do a lot more with the ball.

 

[Rilz]

Very early days, but I struggle to see what VDB offers us that a 32 year old Mata does not.

He seems extremely lightweight and gets shrugged off the ball way too easily, distinct lack of pace too. Hopefully its just a settling in period.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Yes needs time. Nothing to judge him on really.

he’s doing ok. He’s getting some game time in a very competitive midfield.

 

[Member 90887]

Average game. Still getting used to the league.

Clearly, people moaning about why he's not playing think they know more about football than they really do.

The staff are clearly trying to ease him in slowly. So just let them do their job and stop moaning.

Hopefully, next year with pogba gone, he'll step up.

 

[M Bison]

I’m really trying but just don’t see it, he doesn’t seem to do enough for me. He’s not particularly creative or defensive, just a middle-of-the-road type player.

He’s not a bad player, just seems average and I can see why we were unchallenged in signing him.

 

[jderbyshire]

I feel for the lad, it's just not clicking for him yet, but it's very early days both in his United career and his career as a whole. The lad's 23 and only been here a few months. He's got plenty of time to find his rhythm in this team.

 

[VP89]

What’s the point in passing to him when he just passes it straight back to you? Needs to do a lot more with the ball.

That happened in the second half in deeper areas, but he was making quite a few good runs that weren't found.

I think he just needs a run of games, it's very tough to make cameos and make an instant impact every time. He had a couple of good performances for us, Leipzig at OT and Southampton being examples. Then a stinker vs West Ham (Where the team were shite) and an indifferent one today. I think people's expectations are just too high for him - he's 23 and needs time & patience to find his feet here.

 

[kundalini]

He was ok. Not involved that much out on the left. Had a shot blocked early on.

Lots of players have a difficult first season. Not obvious to me where he should play in the team; perhaps it will become clear in time.

 

[UmbroDays]

He’s playing with no confidence and no ambition.

I don’t think he would have been a first team player at Madrid, and I’m wondering he he should have gone to Roma or stayed at Ajax

 

[Carl]

Won't help being played out of position, but he's just a very forgettable player. Very neat and tidy but ultimately very forgetful.

 

[Idxomer]

Does he even offer anything more than Mata currently?

 

[dogwithabone]

Tidy enough without really running the show. Hope there’s more to come but he really does need to stamp his authority on matches.

 

[KW2006]

Such a strange player that i can imagine him doing well for Barca, but not for us.

 

[GledTheRed]

Guys, he's playing out of position!

 

[HowYouDoin]

Such a strange player that i can imagine him doing well for Barca, but not for us.

You're not wrong. He will work out for us too though. Maybe not this year but he will be the new Hererra.

 

[sammsky1]

Very forgettable performance from him.

Something is not yet working for him, but it's clear to me what Ole isn't giving him best XI status yet. I'm hoping its still the adjustment into Premier League football, and adjusting to Ole's tactics; it took Fred more than a year to get up to speed.

Im not overly worried yet, but I hope Donny himself realises he needs to develop and grow, rather than be sulking and pissed that he is just a squad player right now.

 

[ClaytonBlackmoorLeftPeg]

Guys, he's playing out of position!

Where should he be playing?

 

[Hugh Jass]

He has to play in Brunos position and Bruno is probably the best in the world in that position. That or else in MF where Pogba was.

 

[ash_86]

Not sure what he brings to the team. Some quick passing for sure but overlooking that i don't see much. I hope he finds his niche in this team as we are slowly but surely getting better.

 

[AshRK]

He will come good. The boy has footballing brain, just need things to fall in place. Anyone writing him off this soon needs to be patient.

 

[Borys]

Well one thing is his attributes and overall quality, but second is how we use him. Personally I'm not a fan of those "roaming" players, doesn't seem particularly effective unless you implement a very specific system.

I believe he could help us more playing deeper though, I'm still not sure what was the idea behind thus transfer.

 

[Jonno]

Still finding his place. Took Fred a year or so, he’s a talented player and will come good.

 

[tjb]

Attacking depth is 40m these days. Let's just call it what it is, he's here for when Pogba/Bruno/Fred/Mctominay/Rashford/Greenwood need a rest. An upgrade for Lingard and Pereira.

 

[Lay]

Where should he be playing?

Ajax

 

[rooney2009]

Looks out of his depth
Hoping he comes good later