Manchester United's New Signing May Struggle Playing Alongside Pogba, Fernandes, Ex-Arsenal Star Says

Former Arsenal player Paul Merson has slammed Manchester United over its latest signing, Donny van de Beek, predicting that the 23-year-old will struggle to fit in with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes on the pitch.

Van de Beek is the newest addition to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side. United paid Ajax a fee of around £40 million ($53 million) for his signature, and he is now set to make his debut at Old Trafford.

The Dutch midfielder is viewed as a perfect attacking partner for United’s top prospect, Jadon Sancho. However, Merson, who recently weighed in on the Red Devils’ decision to sign Van de Beek, had a different opinion.

In an exclusive interview with Daily Star, the soccer pundit criticized Van de Beek’s move to United, referring to him as a “panic buy.”

"Donny van de Beek looks like a panic buy at Manchester United," Merson said.

According to the pundit, Solskjaer should have prioritized bolstering his squad’s defense as the club hits the remaining weeks of the transfer window. Merson also pointed out that Van de Beek’s style of playing wouldn’t match well with United’s current attacking players, Pogba and Fernandes.

“I don’t get it. They just spent £40 million ($53 million) on a position where they are already strong,” he continued. “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?’ It makes no sense.”

Merson also has the same opinion when it comes to the club’s desire to sign Sancho, believing that Man United's focus is not on the position that actually needs bolstering.

"It’s like them going for Jadon Sancho. If they sign Sancho, [Mason] Greenwood doesn’t play. For me they need another center back,” he added.

United is said to be still keen on signing more players. Recent reports said the Premier League club is currently plotting a massive clear-out, with struggling defender Marcos Rojo included in the list.

Rojo, who just got back from a six-month loan from Estudiantes, is unlikely to play a role in Solskjaer’s new plans for the first team. Serie A giant Lazio is among the clubs interested in signing the United outcast, an offer that reports said Rojo would “gladly accept.”