Arsenal: Thomas Partey sings his initiation song to the squad
Manchester United should have signed Thomas Partey instead of Donny van de Beek in the summer transfer window, according to Liverpool legend John Barnes. Van de Beek was United's biggest signing of the summer, joining from Ajax for £40million. However, the Holland international is yet to start a Premier League game for his new side.
The signing of Van de Beek has been questioned by former United players such as Patrice Evra, who claimed the 23-year-old was not the type of player Ole Gunnar Solskjaer needed to add to his squad.
And now former England winger Barnes has joined the criticism of United's transfer business.
Barnes reckons Partey would have been a more worthwhile signing for the Red Devils.
Partey instead joined Arsenal from Atletico Madrid on transfer deadline day after the Gunners activated his £45million release clause.
Man Utd news: John Barnes says United should have signed instead of Donny van de Beek (Image: GETTY)
“People assume that if you come from Ajax and cost £40m, then you are going to get a player like Johan Cruyff but it’s never going to happen," Barnes told Bonus Code Bets.
“[Van de Beek] will be a good player for United eventually, but they have to get the balance right in how they want to play and where he fits into that.
"Currently, Manchester United want to play pretty football by having lots of flair players, which he doesn’t fit into so now he is getting criticised by fans and pundits because that is not the way he plays.
“At a team like United where everyone is so inconsistent, you are going to get judged when you aren’t a flair player.
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Man Utd news: Donny van de Beek joined from Ajax for £40m (Image: EXPRESS)
"Someone like Bruno Fernandes who looks good even when the team isn’t playing well, won’t get criticised, but as van de Beek isn’t one of those players who will take the game by the scruff of the neck, he will get judged.
“Manchester United are in need of a midfielder who will sit in front of the defence and protect them.
"United are at the stage now where they believe that they need players who, like Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, are great on the ball and very attack-minded.
“However, with the way things are portrayed now, for £40m, if you aren’t doing something that is eye-catching, then you are considered a waste of money.
“Donny van de Beek is not a flair player like Pogba or Fernandes and can’t get people off their seats in the same way.
"Manchester United have conceded lots of goals already this season and could have done with a player like Thomas Partey. He would have made them much more defensively sound.”
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