DwindlingSun

5y

Nah this feels revisionist to me in light of his average start with us so far. VDB always gonna end up at a top club, he's a very capable player and has immense potential. He was pretty much set for Madrid before covid. And yes, while the Dutch league is of course a far poorer standard, VDB was standout in numerous champions league games.

He's still young, left behind his family and friends, moved to a new country and tougher league, and all the while has not been given a fair chance. That is no doubt gonna take its toll on performance. So many other factors playing in too like the pressure from press criticism, reliance on Bruno, our uneven team setup, players on different wavelengths than what he is accustomed to, our far slower tempo than Ajax, etc.

Marble

5y

Because Ole doesn’t know how to use him + Donny doesn’t even look like he cares and just isn’t good enough.

Root

5y

At the moment VDB just being a back up to Bruno is a terrible decision. Bruno will always be ahead in that position. He’s a quality player, but he’s not being given consistent game time to show his qualities. To me you could easily slot him in the number 6 or 8 position. It’s not rocket science to find a solution to the system. He’s played in numerous positions in his career so why not do that.

You could even put Tuanzabe in the same conversation. There’s one thing if a player is not good, but if your not giving said player a fair amount of game time to prove his worth. Then that’s difficult for any player.

Glitter Boy

5y

Tbh I'd like to see them play VDB in the 6 role just to see how it goes. I think there's a few fringe players who are suffering from a lack of momentum /game time who would benefit from a few more starts.

Grenouille

5y

What does he excel at? Where will he fit in at Manchester United?

He’s an above average player whose traits have been adorned due to playing in a fully functioning cohesive unit at Ajax, and now finds himself struggling elsewhere where that security isn’t in play. He certainly isn’t the first, and won’t be the last.

Even before he joined us, and he was still a ‘very capable player with immense potential’ he was on the fringes for the Dutch NT — failing to displace players like De Roon.
——
To caveat, I do think there’s probably a decent player in there. But it’s certainly not one that it is so egregious by Ole or the clubs treatment towards him. He’ll probably be back at Ajax or in Germany somewhere within the next 12 months.

He doesn’t fit us, we don’t fit him. It was a terrible deal for all parties involved.

DwindlingSun

5y

Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply to this last night.

I completely agree with you that it was a poor deal and there's no logical fit for him in our team, have said that many times in the past too. But I don't think that is because he's not up to our quality.

It reminds me very much of when we signed Kagawa. Really talented player who just didn't have a clear pathway into the team at an age where he needed to be playing regularly and gaining that experience.

Regarding the Dutch NT, my understanding was that Koeman simply preferred De Roon because he added better defensive balance alongside Frenkie and Wijnaldum. Which is fair and I don't think we can criticise VDB for just being an unsuitable starter in an already competitive midfield.

Our style of play is so opposed to what he's accustomed to. We're so sluggish and one-dimensional lately. There's barely any movement in behind, no bravery in risking forward passes between the lines, languid tempo and pressing. Without a solid string of game time he's obviously gonna struggle to get acclimated with that. Just yesterday you can see so many times where he's making a run in behind and Fred settles for the safe sideways pass. Or he's looking for Rashford to run in behind but Rashford slows and wants it to feet.

I really do think he's a quality player though and its a real waste for us not to utilize him now that he's here. He's got a fantastic work rate, close control second to none, brilliant off the ball. Does a lot of the subtle things really well like pulling away defenders to create space. He ain't a creator in the way Bruno is sure, but there's always room for intelligent, technical players of his style to be pivotal in a lineup.

DwindlingSun

5y

Sorry I didn't get a chance to reply to this last night.

I completely agree with you that it was a poor deal and there's no logical fit for him in our team, have said that many times in the past too. But I don't think that is because he's not up to our quality.

It reminds me very much of when we signed Kagawa. Really talented player who just didn't have a clear pathway into the team at an age where he needed to be playing regularly and gaining that experience.

Regarding the Dutch NT, my understanding was that Koeman simply preferred De Roon because he added better defensive balance alongside Frenkie and Wijnaldum. Which is fair and I don't think we can criticise VDB for just being an unsuitable starter in an already competitive midfield.

Our style of play is so opposed to what he's accustomed to. We're so sluggish and one-dimensional lately. There's barely any movement in behind, no bravery in risking forward passes between the lines, languid tempo and pressing. Without a solid string of game time he's obviously gonna struggle to get acclimated with that. Just yesterday you can see so many times where he's making a run in behind and Fred settles for the safe sideways pass. Or he's looking for Rashford to run in behind but Rashford slows and wants it to feet.

I really do think he's a quality player though and its a real waste for us not to utilize him now that he's here. He's got a fantastic work rate, close control second to none, brilliant off the ball. Does a lot of the subtle things really well like pulling away defenders to create space. He ain't a creator in the way Bruno is sure, but there's always room for intelligent, technical players of his style to be pivotal in a lineup.

Valenciaisthebest

5y

Donny I feel could easily play the Herrera role in the system ole played at the beginning of his tenure when we aren’t playing Bruno with 3 center mods and 1 holding. Unfortunately this hasn’t been used this season where playing Donny in the Bruno role ( Almost as a second striker aka Early Rooney) just doesn’t fit his game of connecting with players. Lack of match sharpness is also an issuer for all of our second team players.

Fundamentals

5y

United need to come get Coutinho

60m and he's all yours

Fundamentals

5y

United need to come get Coutinho

60m and he's all yours

Fundamentals

5y

United need to come get Coutinho

60m and he's all yours