Manchester United made their first signing of the 2020 summer transfer window, adding Donny van de Beek to their ranks from Ajax. But will his arrival take the pressure off French midfielder, Paul Pogba?
The Arrival of Donny van de Beek Could Take Pressure off Paul Pogba
Manchester United Signings
Ed Woodward has supported Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in the transfer window. Aaron Wan-Bissaka, Harry Maguire, Bruno Fernandes and Daniel James were added to their ranks in the 2019/20 season.
While James has struggled of late, the trio named before him have established themselves in the first-team. The Welsh attacker has been consigned to the bench thanks to the impressive form of youth academy graduate, Mason Greenwood.
Solskjaer has been lucky in the sense that his preferred players have arrived at Old Trafford. Fernandes is the pick of the lot with his free-kicks and penalties highlighting his overall attacking displays.
Meanwhile, Maguire and Wan-Bissaka are mainstays in United’s defense. The young Englishman has been impressive and has kept some of the Premier League’s top talents in his pocket.
Maguire has also solidified the United defence, despite still making some avoidable erros. But such is his quality when compared to other variables available that he has started every game for the Red Devils. He was made captain of the side and remains to do so even after receiving a guilty verdict of all charges in Greece.
With all these players, United finished third on the points table. Qualification for the UEFA Champions League was ensured at the expense of Leicester City. If there was an award for post-lockdown points accumulation, United would have easily secured that.
Pressure off Pogba
However, that is not the issue. The issue is that Liverpool have broken their 30-year Premier League title wait and will be gunning for more. United cannot let that happen and should reinforce. It is in this view that Donny van de Beek is arriving at the Old Trafford. His addition increases their midfield strength, an area where they were severely short-handed during the season.
This would not stand true for long. United need to add depth to their squad and they may have to let some players leave before adding to their ranks. Van de Beek’s arrival means that the Red Devils have an able midfield star in their ranks. With Fernandes puppeteering the offensive ranks, the Ajax youth can maintain control at the back. Moreover, he can chip in with a goal or two, probably more than that.
But this is not why the Dutchman has arrived in Manchester. It is to alleviate the club over their dependence over Paul Pogba. The Frenchman is a key player, but is often handed too big of a burden to handle.
United were too reliant on Pogba last season and they suffered during his absence. Now they have cover for him and they have someone who can gel. Only with Nemanja Matic did Pogba play securely and this handicapped the side too much. With van de Beek, he can marshal the midfield with any combination.
Suffice to say, van de Beek’s arrival has made the transfer window more interesting as Manchester United look to mount a title challenge next season.
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