Manchester United: 3 ways Ole Gunnar Solskjaer could line up with Donny van de Beek in his side

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(Photo by Rico Brouwer/Soccrates/Getty Images) /

Manchester United’s transfer activities might have gathered that much-needed pace.

The rumour broke out on Saturday afternoon and it was a done deal by Sunday evening — some, sitting on their beds or sofas might be still thinking about what have had happened to the United side who almost take weeks to stabilize contacts over a transfer deal.

It was one of those roller-coaster weekends that wholeheartedly portrays all about Manchester United’s ambition going forward. It was a well-known fact that Manchester United would make some sort of acquisition in this ongoing summer transfer window.

However, when and how would that be was the main and the most sought-after questions. Since Manchester United have reportedly secured their first signing of the summer, now it is expected that the barren space between the start of the transfer window and Manchester United adding their first name to the arrival list might have just been the tranquillity prior to a passionate storm — a storm that will surely help bridge the gulf between them and the likes of Manchester City and Liverpool should it last long.

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AFC Ajax’s former boss Frank de Boer recalled the situation when, for the first time, his assistant Dennis Bergkamp, a former Arsenal midfielder, spoke highly of a kid playing in the youth ranks of the famed De Toekomst academy. It was as if Bergkamp was seeing his childhood utilising its traits on the kids’ playground, as per Ajax’s then-head coach.

He revealed:

"‘Dennis started talking enthusiastically about a talent in his youth team. It was a boy who reminded Dennis of himself at that age. That was the signal for me to keep an eye on that guy. That was Donny.’"

“Donny” — the name that has been a trending topic on social media now for more than 72 hours. And why? Well, in order to make a big step up in his footballing career, he will be playing for one of the biggest clubs in England next term, joining Manchester United for a reported transfer fee of £40 million (including add-ons) from Ajax.

It was a deal that no one (maybe very few) could have seen coming, with Real Madrid and Barcelona believed to be in the serious hunt for the Dutch prodigy, who has had already garnered some experience of Champions League football at the age of 23.

And with Donny van de Beek possessing the attributes of playing in various positions on the field, the deal gives something that Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been deprived of since taking over the managerial job following the departure of Jose Mourinho.

Here, we have discussed three ways Solskjaer could ply the midfield sensation to experience his full features.

#3 As an attacking midfielder in the 4-2-3-1 formation:

Manchester United, from the very start of the 2019-20 season to the arrival of Bruno Fernandes from Sporting CP in January, were struggling with the lack of creativity in the absence of Paul Pogba due to his ill-fated ankle injury, with Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira then endeavouring but massively failing to run the show in the middle of the park.

Then came Bruno Fernandes, an initial £47m buy in the January transfer market, to pinpoint the contrast between him and the ones United had been using prior to his arrival. Bruno Fernandes, with the return of Paul Pogba from the injury, helped the United team finish the league from the 3rd spot, eventually qualifying for the Champions League next term.

Playing in the Champions League means United will have to face quality opponents. And hence, the quality in depth is needed. And with rumours surrounding the Mancunian club suggesting that Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira might leave United this summer, an addition was imminent. Which is why they have chosen to make a move for Van de Beek.

Now, if we take a closer look at Van de Beek’s career so far, we will find that he could provide Solskjaer with the versatile very few of United’s current squad members possess. One of his many positions would obviously be the attacking midfield role.

Having played 175 matches (as per the stats provided by Transfermarkt) for the Ajax’s first team during his time at Amsterdam, Van de Beek has had amassed 41 goals and 34 assists, meaning he has that track record of both scoring goals and helping teams with assists.

The upcoming 2020-21 season is going to be an old, long season for Manchester United, with more than 50 games believingly awaiting along the way for the Red Devils. Loss of form, injuries, and fatigue might see Bruno Fernandes losing his aura sometimes.

And then there would be nothing to worry, neither for the fans nor for the manager, as they have just secured the services of the world’s one of the most heavily touted young attacking assets.

One could argue on the fact that Van de Beek would be nothing but a bench warmer for United. However, making that point would be as flawless as saying United now have a perfect option who would share the enormous workload with Fernandes.

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