It is no secret that Manchester United are in the market for a central midfield player to bolster an assault on the Premier League.
Paris Saint-Germain’s Manuel Ugarte is a priority for Erik ten Hag, with the possibility of a loan option and an obligation to buy an apparent opportunity.
However, Sir Jim Ratcliffe is a man who desires swift business, and a delay in negotiations has reportedly opened the door for a Dutch alternative.
CaughtOffside claims Joey Veerman is a player of interest for United – one they may turn to if progress with the Ligue 1 side stalls.
A sense of familiarity
Ten Hag is cultivating a Dutch personality at Old Trafford, with an array of his compatriots joining the backroom team.
Furthermore, new signing Joshua Zirzkee joins Tyrell Malacia in the first-team squad alongside several former Eredivisie stars.
Veerman has been a versatile midfield player and an essential cog for PSV since his arrival in January 2022.
At 25, his age fits the profile of the desired rebuild with a tested character for the Netherlands, having featured in every outing during Oranje’s path to the semi-final of Euro 2024.
An ability to fulfil multiple roles
The Boeren player made 41 appearances across the 2023-24 campaign, starting three quarters in a central midfield position.
However, he often dropped deeper during fixtures, slotting into a defensive midfield role with a consummate ease.
When considering the benefit of his acquisition over Ugarte, we must focus on his defensive abilities. Put frankly, he does not possess the natural destroyer mentality of the Uruguayan.
Over the past 365 days, he averaged 2.03 tackles, 1.72 clearances, 1.25 blocks, and 0.92 interceptions per 90 minutes. While low, this is a byproduct of his manager’s requirements in that specific system.
In contrast, his ability on the ball is amplified within the setup.
He averaged 80.63 touches with an 85.7% take-on success rate per 90′ – ranking him in the top five percentile across Europe.
Furthermore, he completed 54.38 passes, with elite-level metrics in key passes (2.81), passes into the final third (7.81) and progressive passes (9.84), ranking in the top 3 percentile in European football.
Veerman can play a defensive role and in a more advanced position. Versatility is a fundamental trait within a squad, and with a market value between €30 – €40 Million, the Purmerend midfield man is an intriguing option for Manchester United.
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