Ex-United academy player Micky Gray questions the Red Devils’ decision to spend £40m on Van de Beek who he sees as a ‘squad player’.
Manchester United are on the verge of completing their first summer move in Donny Van de Beek.
The Ajax star is said to have undergone his medical ahead of a potential switch to Old Trafford.
The move for Van de Beek will be a ‘dream come true’, according to the player’s father.
The Dutchman was a live-wire in the Ajax lineup last term, contributing to 13 goals in 23 league games.
But just what exactly does he bring to Manchester United? Van de Beek surely brings depth to Ole Solskjaer’s options but is he a luxury that isn’t needed?
Micky Gray thinks so and argues that the Red Devils already have a number of players that can play in his position already.
“This is such a big surprise for me that Man United have gone for Donny Van de Beek before they’ve actually tried to get Sancho in again or another star signing,” the former defender said on The Sports Bar.
“He’s not the star signing I thought Manchester United would actually bring through the door first.”
“Is he (Van de Beek) even a position they need? If you had asked me midway through last season – Matic was struggling, Fred couldn’t get anywhere near the team, McTominay picked up that bad injury – I’d have said ‘yes, he’s a good signing”
“But since then Matic has been outstanding, Fred has improved but he’s obviously not for Man United moving forward, and McTominay has come back.”
“I think McTominay will be around for the next five or six years, maybe even longer than that, and he can play in that holding midfield role.”
“That’s the position they’ve bought Van de Beek for. He’s 23 years old, he got ten goals last season, he’s 6ft 1in, and he’s a very good signing… as a back-up player.
“That’s what really surprises me, that’s where football is right now, they’re buying a squad player for £40m.”
Regardless, a number of other names think Van de Beek will fit in seamlessly with United.
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