Man Utd signing Donny van de Beek slammed as a ‘panic buy’ done to appease fans in extraordinary blast by Paul Merson
MANCHESTER UNITED's big summer signing Donny van de Beek is nothing more than a 'panic buy' bought to appease fans, claims Paul Merson.
The 23-year-old was snapped up for £39million from Ajax, in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's first deal of the summer window.
But it left former Arsenal player turned pundit Merson scratching his head, with United already filled with options in central midfield.
With Premier League rivals having already strengthen their squads, the Red Devils were accused of rushing into business.
Merson told the Daily Star: "Donny van de Beek looks like a panic buy at Manchester United. I don't get it.
"They just spent £40m on a position where they are already strong and how does he play with Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes?
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"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?'"
United are still in the market for a defender and winger, with Borussia Dortmund's Jadon Sancho their primary target.
But Jack Grealish - who received his first England call up - is also a creative alternative for Solskjaer.
United are also still in the race to sign Thiago from Bayern Munich, but face competition from Liverpool.
The Spaniard has just a year left on his deal, with the German champions ready to cash in on the £27m rated playmaker.
Liverpool are believed to be leading the race, with Georginio Wijnaldum linked with a move to Barcelona, which could create space for Thiago.