Donny van de Beek was a 'panic buy' bought only to 'appease Manchester United fans' according to Sky Sports pundit Paul Merson.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side made their first signing of the summer when they confirmed their £35 million signing of Ajax midfielder Van de Beek.
The 23-year-old is now part of a very talented midfield alongside Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes but Merson doesn't believe that the Dutchman was the correct signing for United.
"Donny Van de Beek looks like a panic buy at Manchester United," the former Arsenal player told the Daily Star.
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"I don't get it. They just spent £40m on a position where they are already strong. And how does he play with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes?
"You have to have someone who can play the holding role.
"That signing looked to me like: 'Oh we haven't bought anyone yet, let's go and buy someone, who can we get?'"
Pogba missed much of last season with an injury, only returning after the break from Covid-19 to play regularly, and Fernandes only joined in January.
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Those two along with Nemanja Matic played most of the games in the final part of the season, and Merson thinks the new signing will get in the way of Fred and Scott McTominay getting more game time.
"When you look at their midfield, Fred was improving, and they've got Scott McTominay. Now they won't get a game," Merson added.
"And they just gave Nemanja Matic a new contract. "Would they have done that if they knew they were getting Van de Beek?
"It makes no sense to me. Who is making these decisions?"
The former Portsmouth forward also thinks United shouldn't be going for Jadon Sancho for a similar reason, adding, "It's like them going for Jadon Sancho. If they sign Sancho, Greenwood doesn't play. For me they need another centre back."
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United signed Harry Maguire last summer from Leicester City for £80 million and their defensive record was much improved last season, compared to the previous campaign but there is still a belief the side needs another centre back to play alongside the club captain.
RB Leipzig centre back Dayot Upamecano has been linked with the club but with Victor Lindelof, Eric Bailly, Phil Jones, Chris Smalling, Marcos Rojo and Axel Tuanzebe all in the senior squad it's likely Solskjaer would have to sell before he can buy.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Football News, Donny van de Beek, Manchester United, Paul Merson, Transfer stories, Transfer rumours, Premier League, Transfer news, Transfer reports
