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What exactly is going wrong with Donny van de Beek at Manchester United?
**THREAD
#MUFC #UnitedAgainstRacism
**THREAD
#MUFC #UnitedAgainstRacism
Before we begin, I would like to stress I am not qualified to report on his performances but as a fan would love to express my opinion.
We will look into his playing style, how does it fit into United's system and more importantly how do we resolve this issue.
Lets get started.
We will look into his playing style, how does it fit into United's system and more importantly how do we resolve this issue.
Lets get started.
Some United fans may remember Donny's cameo against us at Stockholm in 2017 versus Mourinho's United.
That season was Donny's 'break-out' year in the first team, he also was named in the 30-man shortlist for the Balon D'Or.
That season was Donny's 'break-out' year in the first team, he also was named in the 30-man shortlist for the Balon D'Or.
Donny almost joined the Los Blancos in the summer of 2019 along with Frenkie de Jong departing for Barcelona.
Ultimately, this did not happen and he stayed at Ajax for another year where he scored 10 goals before COVID cut the season short.
Ultimately, this did not happen and he stayed at Ajax for another year where he scored 10 goals before COVID cut the season short.
Most English fans however may remember him for his performances in the Champions League, part of that Ajax team which made it all the way to the semis.
The lineup you see here is the 4-2-3-1 which is a relatively conventional one in football nowadays, when executed right ==
The lineup you see here is the 4-2-3-1 which is a relatively conventional one in football nowadays, when executed right ==
However, this lineup is somewhat misleading because of course Tadic isn't an out and out striker he wasn't at Southampton either.
In this game, Donny actually scored but he operated as more of a false-nine than a 10 as suggested, alongside Tadic rather than behind him.
In this game, Donny actually scored but he operated as more of a false-nine than a 10 as suggested, alongside Tadic rather than behind him.
As shown below, Donny is heavily effective in and around the penalty box, creating slick, quick interplay with this team mates.
The defenders here are essentially powerless because of how he drags Alderwiereld ( who btw was no pushover at the time) about like a baby.
The defenders here are essentially powerless because of how he drags Alderwiereld ( who btw was no pushover at the time) about like a baby.
The common question is :
Is he a 6, 8 or 10?
The answer is none specifically, but he is more suited to a number 8s role than a 6 or 10. Donny is capable of defending but not disciplined enough to hold a 6 and he isn't to the standard of Bruno, our number 10.
Is he a 6, 8 or 10?
The answer is none specifically, but he is more suited to a number 8s role than a 6 or 10. Donny is capable of defending but not disciplined enough to hold a 6 and he isn't to the standard of Bruno, our number 10.
Donny, when you look at his game is a very very simple footballer. Doesn't take too many touches and has a very high passing accuracy (85.9% via whoScored).
But he is a player who makes lots of smaller cute, one-touch passes
But he is a player who makes lots of smaller cute, one-touch passes
Although not exceptionally quick himself - Donny brings a lot of intensity to United's attacks. As fans, we haven't seen this in frequency because he clearly isn't fully match fit.
It is rare you will see Donny take more than one touch in the opposition half
It is rare you will see Donny take more than one touch in the opposition half
When in our half, you will notice he plays slower. This is because he is an offensive-minded player. Take a look at this below :
Inside the final third, this guy is lethal. We have seen glimpses of it for sure, but to replicate in the Premier League is going to take time.
Inside the final third, this guy is lethal. We have seen glimpses of it for sure, but to replicate in the Premier League is going to take time.
Another strength is his tight-ball control. Very rare that Donny is dispossessed because he is a proper tidy player. He pulled this out on his United debut :
Committing two defenders and now opening space in the middle for the free man (in this instance its Lingard top right).
Committing two defenders and now opening space in the middle for the free man (in this instance its Lingard top right).
Here is another instance where he does his 'trademark' flick which is so so effective in tighter spaces.
If this has demonstrated anything to you it should be that team's don't play through him and they never have in his career because he isn't an out and out number 10.
If this has demonstrated anything to you it should be that team's don't play through him and they never have in his career because he isn't an out and out number 10.
Against West Ham, Donny tried taking up positions to find space when there was none available, so essentially partnered Martial up front for spells of the game.
This means we have a player who will drift in and out of the fore he isnt the focal point of teams at all.
This means we have a player who will drift in and out of the fore he isnt the focal point of teams at all.
He is wasted being deployed deeper in teams when he is way more effective going forward.
In watching games, I have noticed this about McTominay too; both make excellent runs into space which midfielders are not known for.
In watching games, I have noticed this about McTominay too; both make excellent runs into space which midfielders are not known for.
Often though we restrict these runs from happening due to our midfielders coming deeper to collect the ball, so much so that they would drop into the back 4:
This causes disjunction between the midfielders and attackers, the reason the team drifts in/out of matches.
This causes disjunction between the midfielders and attackers, the reason the team drifts in/out of matches.
Both are capable, as I have stated, in tackling but their awareness is much better-suited to offensive situations than deeper ones :
The team would benefit massively in playing a capable single pivot in the summer to introduce Scott, Donny in a partnership 10 yds in front.
The team would benefit massively in playing a capable single pivot in the summer to introduce Scott, Donny in a partnership 10 yds in front.
This wouldn't be a first-starting partnership, but the more solid options available to the manager - the better. Playing those two would require more defensively disciplined wingers such as Greenwood and James on the flanks.
Just an idea - let me know what you think.
Just an idea - let me know what you think.
His adaptability is severely underrated, which is why he is best suited to the number 8 **in my opinion**. This is due to the heritage of Dutch football where most academies don't tie players down to a position until they are 16
Modern players of that calibre :
-Blind
-Donny
-Ziyech
-Klaasen
Classic examples of players:
-Seedorf
-Davids
-Koeman
-Gullit
Specialised or not, United have a very valuable squad player there who is very malleable.
-Blind
-Donny
-Ziyech
-Klaasen
Classic examples of players:
-Seedorf
-Davids
-Koeman
-Gullit
Specialised or not, United have a very valuable squad player there who is very malleable.
So what are the options United have?
A) They keep him to his basic approach in finding spaces between the lines
B) Convert him into a DLP who has the freedom to move into the final 3rd as a sort of spare man (which is what it seems United are doing).
Lets explore this:
A) They keep him to his basic approach in finding spaces between the lines
B) Convert him into a DLP who has the freedom to move into the final 3rd as a sort of spare man (which is what it seems United are doing).
Lets explore this:
Option A)
This is unlikely to work with Bruno in the team. For this to work, United would need to play similar to Manchester City's centurion side.
For this to work, his ideal partner would be Pogba (if stayed) or McTominay if he leaves. Either way, a proper pivot is needed.
This is unlikely to work with Bruno in the team. For this to work, United would need to play similar to Manchester City's centurion side.
For this to work, his ideal partner would be Pogba (if stayed) or McTominay if he leaves. Either way, a proper pivot is needed.
This sacrifices defensive solidity for midfield control. We would enjoy the ball a lot @rickthereduk would appreciate this I am sure.
But for a defence that has already conceded 30 goals in 23 games - could be a problem in longevity.
But for a defence that has already conceded 30 goals in 23 games - could be a problem in longevity.
Option B)
This will take time for Donny to adapt to this role so as fans we must be patient. Deploying him as a DLP will allow our build-up play to be much more expansive and less-predictable.
This is how we would play:
This will take time for Donny to adapt to this role so as fans we must be patient. Deploying him as a DLP will allow our build-up play to be much more expansive and less-predictable.
This is how we would play:
That is the most probable outcome, United will search to use his offensive qualities in controlling the game better in deeper areas of the pitch.
With the way we currently play, United cannot fit him in as a number 8 because of Fernandes being in the side
With the way we currently play, United cannot fit him in as a number 8 because of Fernandes being in the side
As United fans we must be patient, his method of playing at Ajax isn't compatible with United at the moment. Similar to Kagawa when he came from Dortmund.
He needs more minutes to prove himself and stay physically fit. I don't think relations are as sour as journalists suggest.
He needs more minutes to prove himself and stay physically fit. I don't think relations are as sour as journalists suggest.
That is the end I am afraid. I hope you enjoyed my opinion and please leave a comment below so I can see if you disagree or I have made any logical errors (don't leave me looking stupid lol)
Have a top day reds
#MUFC #Solskjaer #UnitedAgainstRacism
Have a top day reds
#MUFC #Solskjaer #UnitedAgainstRacism
@utdarena thoughts on this thread? It would be invaluable to hear critical feedback from a professional like yourself
I apologise for the diagrams I tried using my own tools.
I apologise for the diagrams I tried using my own tools.
