Manchester United confirm Donny van de Beek signing

The young Holland international helped Ajax win the league and domestic cup double during the 2018-19 campaign, and he was a key figure in the club's underdog run to the 2019 Champions League semifinal that included upsets of Real Madrid and Juventus. Ajax squandered a 2-0 aggregate lead versus Tottenham with a berth in the UCL Final on the line. 

Ajax sat atop the Eredivisie table on goal difference when the league voided the 2019-20 season because of the coronavirus pandemic. No champion was crowned. 

Sky Sports' Charlotte Marsh offered high praise for the attacking midfielder who tallied 175 career appearances with Ajax.

The 23-year-old has the ability to play anywhere across the middle — a trait that will only increase his value — and as well as being that vital link between defense and attack, he is more offensively minded than other central midfield players.

Marsh continued: 

But he is also not afraid of sitting deep and doing the hard work when he needs to. According to WhoScored.com, Van de Beek makes an average of two tackles per game in the Eredivisie — the fourth highest in the Ajax squad — and can help out in a more defensive role when needed.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer told the club website:

"Donny has all of the technical attributes needed to perform in this team and has the personality required to succeed at Manchester United.

“His ability to see space, time his movements, and read the game will really complement the qualities that we have in midfield and his arrival really strengthens the depth of talent we have in that position.

“Donny’s performances in the Eredivisie and in Europe have been excellent over the last few years and we are all looking forward to working with him.”