Rene Meulensteen believes Manchester United made a mistake by not pursuing a move for Tottenham Hotspur defender Micky van de Ven. The 62-year-old, who previously worked as Sir Alex Ferguson’s assistant coach, has expressed his concerns about the team’s backline ahead of the new campaign.
United's midfield focus leaves defence unaddressed
United have focused on their midfield rebuild so far this season, swooping for Youri Tielemans and Andrey Santos, while also bringing in experienced goalkeeper Karl Darlow as back-up. Manager Michael Carrick has not added to his centre-back options, with Harry Maguire, Lisandro Martinez, Leny Yoro, Matthijs de Ligt and Ayden Heaven all jostling for position.
However, Meulensteen named Spurs star Van de Ven as an ideal partner for Maguire. The 25-year-old has just signed a new long-term deal with Tottenham, leading ex-United coach Meulensteen to share how the Netherlands international could have fixed an immediate problem facing Carrick’s team.
Meulensteen: 'I would have been looking at Van de Ven'
“I still think they’re vulnerable at the back, and that’s one thing Michael is going to have to sort out as soon as possible when the season starts,” Meulensteen told Tipman Tips. “Finding a centre back partnership that works and getting some consistency in the back line will be key.
“Harry Maguire is coming off a good end to last season, but he needs some complementary centre-backs next to him, and then also on the right-hand side next to him with Mazraoui and Dalot not really doing anything.
“I would have been looking at Micky van de Ven from Spurs before he signed a new deal. He’s powerful, he’s quick, he’s got great experience in playing as a left centre back in the Premier League, and he would have given United a very different dynamic in their defence.”
Defensive record and injury concerns
Carrick made Maguire a key part of his backline last season but injuries to Martinez and De Ligt meant he was often partnered with Yoro or Heaven. The prospect of competing in multiple competitions next term, including the Champions League, could put further strain on the squad.
For Meulensteen, Van de Ven’s speed would have made him a perfect signing for United, while he also praised new Spurs defender Jan Paul van Hecke. “If Harry Maguire is going to be a mainstay in the United defence this season, Van de Ven would’ve meant you wouldn’t have to worry about his lack of pace in behind as he can cover so much ground recovering,” he said.
“I would have also tried to sign Van Hecke, purely off the back of his relationship with De Zerbi at Brighton. He’s a Dutch international, plenty of experience in the Premier League and he knows how to play that right centre-back role very well. They already have De Ligt there as well but nobody knows if he’s going to come back from injury and stay fit.
“Overall, they have plenty of options at centre back in Martinez, Yoro, Heaven and even Luke Shaw can play in the position, but the problem has been that inconsistency at the back which he will need to sort out.”
United shared the sixth-best defensive record in the Premier League with Everton last season, conceding 50 goals. Arsenal (27), Manchester City (35), Brighton (46), Sunderland (48) and Aston Villa (49) all proved more miserly than the Reds.
It is worth noting that only 18 of those came during Carrick’s 16 games in charge, averaging 42.75 goals per season. However, the manager will hope to avoid the number of defensive injuries that impacted his team last term.
