How Van de Beek compares to Fernandes ahead of proposed Man Utd transfer

It is easy to see why Manchester United are paying £40million for Donny van de Beek after a quick glance at his stats.

Van de Beek was one of the top midfield performers last season in the Dutch Eredivisie with Ajax.

He was second in the list of midfield goalscorers with eight, while he had a hand in 13 goals in total, which was bettered only by his former Ajax team-mate and Chelsea signing Hakim Ziyech.

Van de Beek also averaged 7.8 touches per game in the opposition box, the highest in the Eredivisie last season.

His stats bear comparison with the Premier League, and only five players – four of whom were forwards – topped that average last season.

Donny van de Beek’s attacking qualities compare well with those of his new teammates, but he can also play in a deeper role
(Image: Pro Shots/Sipa USA)

Van de Beek also compares well with United midfielders Paul Pogba, Fred, Nemanja Matic, Bruno Fernandes and Scott McTominay.

He had more touches in the opposition box than any of them and was second only to Fernandes in terms of shots, shots on target, goals and assists.

Van de Beek was used in an offensive role by Ajax, but he has the versatility to operate in a deeper role behind Pogba and Fernandes if Ole Gunnar Solskjaer so desires.

His stats show he can do defensive work well when asked and he averaged more recoveries per game in the final third than United’s other midfielders.

Van de Beek is expected to be announced this week as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first signing of the summer.

But his arrival on a five-year deal will add further to the large pool of midfielders at Old Trafford – and United are reportedly set to offload Jesse Lingard and Andreas Pereira to make room for the 23-year-old.

Of United’s midfielders, only Bruno Fernandes tops Van de Beek’s stats last season for shots, shots on target, goals and assists
(Image: Manchester United via Getty Images)

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Both players were on the fringes of Solskjaer’s side last season, and the signing of van de Beek is likely to see them being put up for sale, according to The Mail.

West Ham expressed an interest in signing Lingard previously while the ex-England international will also be likely to attract suitors from abroad.

Benfica are the leading candidates for Pereira’s signature.

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