Donny van de Beek is set to become a Manchester United player after undergoing a medical, Sky Sports reported.
He is a player United have been tracking for several months, with the Red Devils’ interest raised in June by The Times, before this move came to fruition.
At the time this prompted comments from former Dutch international Ronald de Boer.
De Boer was quoted by The Mail telling Fox Sports Netherlands why Van de Beek has the traits United need.
The Ajax legend said: “Solskjaer has indicated that he wants to go in a new direction and wants players who are humble, their heart is with the club, a team player.
“I think he is tired of the [Paul] Pogbas running around. He wants players like Donny van de Beek.”
Work rate can better talent
Pogba is often too easily derided by pundits who feel he does not work hard enough.
But there can be times when he drifts in and out of matches, and given his outstanding talent, it occasionally feels like he can offer more than he does.
De Boer suggests Van de Beek exceeds Pogba in this regard. He is a tireless runner along with possessing outstanding technical skills.
As well as filling in for Bruno Fernandes, Van de Beek can also switch in for Pogba and play in that deeper midfield role.
That does not mean he will permanently displace the Frenchman, but that he offers a valuable option, and manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer can better manage his game time.
This is important considering the injury problems Pogba suffered this past season.
Pogba still rated highly
Whether Solskjaer feels as strongly as De Boer about switching Van de Beek in for Pogba on a more regular basis is doubtful.
It’s a big assumption for him to claim Solskjaer ‘is tired’ of watching Pogba, but we understand what he is trying to get at.
Pogba though was seen as so important by Solskjaer that he largely dispensed with the services of workhorse midfielder Scott McTominay after the lockdown.
This suggest strongly that Van de Beek will have his work cut out to displace Pogba on a permanent basis.
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