Ole Gunnar Solskjaer played an instrumental role in convincing Donny Van de Beek to join Manchester United in this summer’s transfer window.
The versatile Ajax midfielder will soon be confirmed as a United player after two clubs agreed a fee of around £40m, as per BBC Sport.
Van de Beek has attracted interest from a host of elite European clubs after shining for Ajax in their remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals in the 2019/20 season.
But United have all but secured his signature in what looks like a very astute deal for the club’s first signing of the summer.
The Athletic report that United’s interest in Van de Beek ‘intensified’ in August after monitoring the Dutch international for over a year.
But before making his decision on a move to Old Trafford, Van de Beek is said to have wanted to speak to manager Solskjaer to understand what his role at the club could be.
And it is believed Van de Beek was ultimately impressed by Solskjaer’s pitch, who discussed his plans for the player if he completed the transfer.
The Athletic’s report adds that the 23-year-old was excited to hear Solskjaer plans to deploy him in the same midfield as star duo Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.
Van de Beek’s best position at United has been a hot topic of discussion but there are certainly ways Solskjaer could accommodate his three most talented attack-minded midfielders.
A source close to Van de Beek told the Athletic that ‘Ole convinced Donny entirely’ which reflects brilliantly on the United boss who is clearly keen to accelerate his rebuild this summer.
Van de Beek represents the latest piece in Solskjaer’s jigsaw but there are still key areas that should be focused on before the transfer window shuts in October.
At minimum, United require an elite-level central defender and a right-sided forward before they can seriously be considered as Premier League title challengers.
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