Is that an impression you got after this game? I'm asking because my observations are exactly the opposite, he takes very good positions to receive a pass and circulate the ball, what is probably his biggest strength. Not once yesterday I saw him taking himself out of the game, he was heavily involved all game.
That is why I wrote it yes. His only good movement for me is moving into the channels to support the wingers or full back around the area. Its all opinions but if you didnt once himself take himself out of the game moving into a corner you must have been watching a different game. I have seen him do it in other games too.
I am not saying its constantly bad, there were times he moved in to space and was ignored as well.
Fof me I just see a slightly different version of Danny Blind in midfield with VDB. Lazy comparison maybe, I think it was Blinds best position for us as he didnt have the strength or pace to play lb or cb in the premier league. I thought he was decent in midfield, actually much mor eintelligent than VDB but not so good on the ball. But I see them as similar in that they are both neat and tidy on the ball but dont actually offer a huge amount more than that.
Does he offer more than Fred, maybe, but neither player are the answer whatsoever for us in my opinion. Cant believe we didnt address that area in the summer, for me it was actually the most important. Found it laughable people talkign about signing a quality centre back will allow more freedom for the central midfielders and maybe no pivot....utter twaddle, it just improves tha back four. All that is improved in front of it from signing Varane is that he is more composed on the ball for the midfielders to move in to space and take it shorter against a press. Pogba maybe benefits ever so slightly but it doesnt improve the abilities of the midfielders to shield the back four and our current options simply arent good enough at that and they arent good enough with the ball either and that inclides VDB