Manchester United have confirmed their first signing of the summer with Donny Van de Beek signing from Ajax on a five year deal in a move that will cost around €40 million.
Dony van de Beek Joins Manchester United
Instrumental to Champions League Run
When Ajax were so close to reaching the final of the Champions League two seasons ago, most attributed the success to two key players: Frenkie de Jong and Matthijs de Ligt.
Since then, de Jong got his dream move to Barcelona and De Ligt linked up with Cristiano Ronaldo at Juventus. However, van de Beek was an important part of that run and didn’t always get the recognition he deserved.
While de Jong was the metronome, van de Beek was the man who broke forward and had an impact in the final third. Still silky-smooth on the ball, but he was also getting significant goal contributions.
For example, he scored critical goals against Juventus and Tottenham Hotspur in the quarter-finals and semi-finals respectively; goals that would have taken his side through the final if not for Lucas Moura’s late heroics.
After the season was over, his two teammates were praised as generational talents while he got overlooked, but now van de Beek will get his big move to take the next step in his career.
Desperately Needed at United
Bruno Fernandes may have come in and done an excellent job, but United’s midfield still lacks depth as well as creativity. Fernandes played every minute of the Premier League restart, and if he had not, United might not be in the Champions League.
The Red Devils will be competing in four competitions next season and it is entirely unrealistic to suggest that the Portuguese will be playing every match, especially for an attacking midfielder who has to run as much as he does.
Next season will also feature a more jam-packed schedule given the late start, so depth and rotation will be even more critical. Not to mention if Fernandes is out with injury, it could decimate Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s team.
However, van de Beek brings another creative option to complement Fernandes and Paul Pogba. He becomes an important rotation piece, as well as a valuable option off the bench.
It’s unrealistic to think that the three attacking midfielders will all start at the same time, but it could be possible against weaker opposition who present a deep block of defenders.
He may not be Jadon Sancho, but Donny van de Beek is an important signing for Manchester United.
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