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(1/16)Why Donny Van De Beek hasn’t found his best form yet and how to get the best out of him.
(A THREAD) #MUFC
(A THREAD) #MUFC
(2) Firstly, he’s only 23 and with one of the best midfielders in the world and club talisman Bruno Fernandes ahead of him, it’s always going to be difficult.
This is why he has struggled for game time in more important games.
This is NOT Ole’s fault.
This is why he has struggled for game time in more important games.
This is NOT Ole’s fault.
(3) Also coming from a league with much lower quality and intensity, it’s incredibly difficult to adjust straight away.
We’ve seen this with countless players, one only needs to look at Fred for example who took over a season to adjust and then found his best form
We’ve seen this with countless players, one only needs to look at Fred for example who took over a season to adjust and then found his best form
(4) He isn’t a player who can play in a double pivot against teams that will make it difficult for him, as defensively he is not disciplined/experienced enough.
So far he has only been used there against teams such as Istanbul and Watford, which suggests Ole is aware of this.
So far he has only been used there against teams such as Istanbul and Watford, which suggests Ole is aware of this.
(5) His best position is as a #10 or as an attacking #8.
In these roles, he can use his best attributes which are:
1. Getting into the box, finding space to drag others out of position and scoring goals.
2. Using subtle flicks and passes to create chances for other players.
In these roles, he can use his best attributes which are:
1. Getting into the box, finding space to drag others out of position and scoring goals.
2. Using subtle flicks and passes to create chances for other players.
(6) Although he may play in the same positions as Bruno Fernandes for United (#10), he is NOT a similar type of player.
They are two very different attacking midfielders and Bruno Fernandes is so talented that he doesn’t always need the right support around him to succeed.
They are two very different attacking midfielders and Bruno Fernandes is so talented that he doesn’t always need the right support around him to succeed.
(7) To succeed, Donny needs:
1. A wide creator who can take some of the creative burden off him and find him with the ball when he makes runs and gets into the box
2. A double pivot who can find him with balls from deep when he wants the ball played to feet or over the top.
1. A wide creator who can take some of the creative burden off him and find him with the ball when he makes runs and gets into the box
2. A double pivot who can find him with balls from deep when he wants the ball played to feet or over the top.
(8) However, Donny hasn’t had this for the majority of his appearances for the team.
Most of the time he’s had a McFred or Fredtić pivot who don’t progress the ball forward very well, and Greenwood/James/Rashford on the wings, who aren’t creators either.
This doesn’t suit him.
Most of the time he’s had a McFred or Fredtić pivot who don’t progress the ball forward very well, and Greenwood/James/Rashford on the wings, who aren’t creators either.
This doesn’t suit him.
(9) His most successful season came in 18/19, playing 84% of his games as a #10 according to transfermarkt.
This was with the likes of Hakim Ziyech on his right acting as a wide creator, as well as Frenkie De Jong creating behind him
He got 30 G/A in 57 appearances that season
This was with the likes of Hakim Ziyech on his right acting as a wide creator, as well as Frenkie De Jong creating behind him
He got 30 G/A in 57 appearances that season
(10) The only wide creator in the current squad is Juan Mata. This is why Donny has always seemed to play well with him.
And the only central midfielder in the squad who can consistently progress the ball forward well is Paul Pogba.
And the only central midfielder in the squad who can consistently progress the ball forward well is Paul Pogba.
(11) The trouble is, for most of the season now Mata has been away from the squad.
Pogba has been injured a lot and hasn’t had much of a chance to play with Donny because he usually has to get rested in the games Donny plays anyway.
That is also NOT Ole’s fault
Pogba has been injured a lot and hasn’t had much of a chance to play with Donny because he usually has to get rested in the games Donny plays anyway.
That is also NOT Ole’s fault
(12) But with only two of those types of players in the squad it’s clear we need more of them.
I want to go through a couple of suggestions that would suit both the squad as a whole as well as Donny...
I want to go through a couple of suggestions that would suit both the squad as a whole as well as Donny...
(13) United have been heavily linked to Jadon Sancho for some time.
He would provide an even greater creative (And goalscoring) threat than Mata on the right wing. He would be an amazing signing and would compliment Donny greatly, allowing him to do what he does best
He would provide an even greater creative (And goalscoring) threat than Mata on the right wing. He would be an amazing signing and would compliment Donny greatly, allowing him to do what he does best
(14) Amad Diallo also looks like the kind of player who will be able to create a good amount of chances from the wing when he’s ready to play every week.
This means we will have some depth in that department when Amad is ready and if we sign a Sancho type player
This means we will have some depth in that department when Amad is ready and if we sign a Sancho type player
(15) It’s more difficult looking for a realistic Pogba replacement considering we haven’t been linked to many midfielders at all.
But Monchengladbach’s Florian Neuhaus is an example of a player who could play that role well. We should pursue other options too of course.
But Monchengladbach’s Florian Neuhaus is an example of a player who could play that role well. We should pursue other options too of course.
(16) With the right support around him and time to adjust it will be so much easier for Donny to succeed.
That’s ALL he needs and there is no doubt he is a top class player when he has those things, he proved that at Ajax.
He CAN’T do it all himself like Bruno Fernandes.
That’s ALL he needs and there is no doubt he is a top class player when he has those things, he proved that at Ajax.
He CAN’T do it all himself like Bruno Fernandes.
(END OF THREAD)
Really appreciate you reading, let me know your thoughts
Really appreciate you reading, let me know your thoughts
