Donny van de Beek managed to 'win' the game for Manchester United vs Brighton without a single touch of the ball according to an incredibly detailed thread.
Van de Beek's lack of game time at Old Trafford has been a hot topic in the months since his arrival from Ajax.
The 23-year-old has featured in just 14 Premier League games this season and many have wondered if he's a fit for United's style of play.
UtdArena has analysed the Dutchman's performance on Sunday evening and shown his importance in Mason Greenwood's winner.
THREAD:
— UtdArena (@utdarena) April 5, 2021
Donny van de Beek didn't have a SINGLE TOUCH on the ball yesterday—literally NONE—and yet he was a major reason why Mason Greenwood scored the winner. How?
Movement. pic.twitter.com/LuiJUCwBnN
Luke Shaw received the ball on the left hand side and van de Beek purposely dragged Ben White away to give Bruno Fernandes a pocket of space.
The Portuguese midfielder then plays it back to Shaw who manages to cross to Paul Pogba, with his mishit volley bouncing back into the Seagulls box.
Mason Greenwood heads home past Robert Sanchez but his space was also opened up by van de Beek.
He managed to drag White and Lewis Dunk away from the middle of the box and leave Greenwood unopposed.
This is exactly what Bruno does. He notices Donny's run quite early and makes his move as soon as he starts to see Donny complete his move. It's beautiful to watch. Shaw's pass here—outside of the foot—was incisive.
— UtdArena (@utdarena) April 5, 2021
Donny's movement is the reason for us entering their box. pic.twitter.com/5unCmHP5d7
Donny checks his run into the centre and both him and Mason end up in acres of space in such a valuable zone. How? Because Donny's movement constantly dragged Brighton's defence into different less valuable areas, allowing us to run into high valuable areas. pic.twitter.com/GVU8DsSFN4
— UtdArena (@utdarena) April 5, 2021
If the defender lets him run to the wing initially he could stay home and then guard Donny out wide. This would prevent any space for Bruno to drive into. But: Donny used the defender's instincts—“get close to the man/don't let him turn”—against him which creates the space.
— UtdArena (@utdarena) April 5, 2021
It's a unique skill that can't necessarily be taught and it's proof van de Beek has incredible intelligence on the pitch.
Rather than focusing on magic with the ball like Fernandes, his playmaking comes from occupying space and freeing up other attackers to land a lethal blow.
The thread ends with a message of: "Donny's impact in that game-winning goal was immense. Yet, he didn't take a single touch on the ball. Playmaking is about deciding which spaces to create, creating them and then exploiting them.
"Donny showed us a perfect example of that."
Do you think Donny van de Beek deserves to be playing more games for Manchester United?
Let us know in the comments below.
source https://www.sportbible.com/football/football-news-donny-van-de-beek-won-man-utd-vs-brighton-without-touching-the-ball-20210405
0 Comments