OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER may have to tinker with his formation to accommodate the arrival of Donny van de Beek.
Manchester United have agreed personal terms with the 23-year-old and started negotiations with Ajax over a £40million transfer.
Donny van de Beek’s arrival could free up Paul Pogba’s defensive role at Manchester United
The versatile Dutchman can operate in a number of roles across the midfield
Midfielder van de Beek missed Ajax’s friendly with Eintracht Frankfurt with coach Erik ten Hag suggesting there had been developments.
And Solskjaer believes he is the right kind of signing in terms of profile and cost in what is a very difficult transfer window.
The Norwegian would likely deploy van de Beek in his favoured 4-3-2-1 formation to accommodate all of his most potent attacking threats.
The versatile Dutchman, who is most effective in a box-to-box role, also has experience shielding the back four.
As an upgrade on Nemanja Matic in a double midfield pivot, van de Beek’s arrival could provide the platform for Paul Pogba to roam.
United would then be able to retain their fearsome attack, with Marcus Rashford and Mason Greenwood flanking Bruno Fernandes.
The Portuguese maestro has played every minute as the club’s No10 since his his move from Sporting Lisbon in January.
But van de Beek, who scored eight goals in the Eredivisie last term, could also prove an able deputy as the man behind Anthony Martial should Fernandes be injured or rested.
The Ajax ace would preferably be hoping to be used in his more natural box-to-box role in a fluid midfield with Pogba and Fernandes.
And Solskjaer could even decide to revert to his diamond formation to feature his three central stars in their best positions.
Such a line-up would see Matic tasked with protecting the defence and Rashford chosen as the man to partner Martial upfront.
United’s plethora of options also mean that the likes of Fred and Scott McTominay, Daniel James and Juan Mata could all come in to play a part next season.
Van De Beek can even deputise for Bruno Fernandes if the Portuguese is injured or rested
Donny van de Beek shows his keepie uppie skills in Ajax training
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
