Paul Merson has questioned why Erik Ten Hag did not identify Micky van de Ven as a potential target in the summer when Manchester United were in desperate need of a centre-back.
Some Spurs fans would have seen Van de Ven as one for the future when he arrived at the club in the summer but the Dutchman has proven that he is very much a readymade product, showing maturity beyond his years in his first few months at the club.
The 22-year-old does not only possess a tremendous turn of pace but is also extremely handy in winning duals and is technically flawless with the ball at his feet.
It is no exaggeration to say that the Netherlands international has transformed Tottenham’s backline, with Cristian Romero also looking world-class after being paired with the newcomer.
BURNLEY, ENGLAND – SEPTEMBER 2: Tottenham Hotspur’s Micky van de Ven during the Premier League match between Burnley FC and Tottenham Hotspur at Turf Moor on September 2, 2023 in Burnley, England. (Photo by Rich Linley – CameraSport via Getty Images)
Merson has now suggested that Ten Hag should have pursued Van de Ven in the summer, given his expertise in Dutch football.
Following United’s 3-0 Carabao Cup loss against Newcastle United, the former Arsenal midfielder told Sky Sports (01/11/23 at 10:20 pm): “I would be asking questions. If I owned the club. I would be sitting there now and I would be going to you as the manager.
“Why didn’t we get the lad (Van de Ven) at Tottenham? He’s Dutch. You are Dutch. You know the league. You know the players. Why is he at Tottenham and he isn’t here? And we haven’t got a centre-half’.
“No disrespect to Evans. But you are playing a 30-odd-year-old next to Maguire. Varane can’t get fit. Lindelof, I don’t think is a real centre-half, if I am being totally honest. I wouldn’t mind him marking.
“Then you are looking at this player (Van de Ven), who is one of the best centre-halves in the league, at the moment. And he isn’t playing for Man United. He wasn’t £80-90 million. Serious questions.”
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While Ten Hag might be well versed with the Eredivisie and Dutch football, Van de Ven made a name for himself in the Bundesliga at Wolfsburg, which is why he might have not appeared on the Man Utd boss’ radar.
There is no doubt that several clubs across the Premier League would be kicking themselves for not making a move for the 22-year-old, given how good he has looked at Spurs so far.
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