Ian Wright Says Van de Beek Would Have Been Better Off Joining Arsenal

 

Manchester United have only made one signing this summer - and Ian Wright reckons he would have been better off joining Arsenal.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's side recruited Donny van de Beek from Ajax in a £40million deal, having so far been frustrated in their pursuit of top target Jadon Sancho.

The Red Devils are understood to be readying a £90million offer to Borussia Dortmund for Sancho's services - but in the meantime Van de Beek remains their sole signing of the summer.

Wright has questioned whether United made the right choice in swooping for the Dutch star, insisting the 23-year-old faces a tough fight with box-to-box midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba for a place in Solskjaer's side.

"Donny van de Beek, he’s someone that I wish someone more like Arsenal could have taken," said the former Gunners striker on The Kelly & Wrighty Show .

"When you look at Pogba, what he’s doing, and you look at Bruno Fernandes – that is Donny van de Beek’s position.

"So people are thinking they’re going to see Van de Beek [sitting] with Pogba and Fernandes, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.

"Because as much as he can play there, that’s not his preferred position to play.

"So again, spend the money, yeah he’s a great player and yes take him, but you’ve still got to look for the players that you know are going to improve your team."

While United have targeted Sancho to sharpen up their attack, many observers have pointed out that what United really need is a long-term centre-back partner for captain Harry Maguire.

And Van de Beek was not the priority signing United needed this summer, according to Wright.

"Listen, Donny van de Beek will be a good player for Man United in time because he’s a quality player," he said.

"But is he what they need right now?"

Fellow pundit Micah Richards agreed with Wright's appraisal, with the former Manchester City defender describing Van de Beek as "a panic buy" for United.