Man Utd are leading the race for £19m “sensation
” who Mainoo would love
Erik ten Hag is keen on signing a talented midfield prospect this January
Manchester United have struggled for consistency on every front this season, but their latest 3-2 win over Aston Villa could just give the side belief after a tough spell.
Erik ten Hag’s side is currently sixth in the Premier League, having won ten and lost eight of their 18 games so far in the top flight.
With that in mind, it is no surprise that the boss wants to reinforce in January, with a talented midfielder potentially on the radar.
Man Utd transfers latest – Arthur Vermeeren
As per reports in Spain, many clubs are interested in the young midfielder, but the Old Trafford outfit have become the favourites to sign Arthur Vermeeren from Royal Antwerp.
It is reported that Ten Hag is a huge admirer of the 18-year-old, who has been labelled as a “sensation” by Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig.
The boss is keen to reinforce his midfield due to injuries and the poor form of Sofyan Amrabat, with a fee of €22m (£19m) expected to be enough to conclude the deal this January.
Arthur Vermeeren’s style of play
Vermeeren became a constant in the Antwerp side last season at just 17 years old, and he has rapidly developed into an incredibly talented midfielder this season. The right-footed ace has started every game for his club this season, including in the Champions League, where he has earned plenty of plaudits.
The Belgian international is extremely mature for his age, and he oozes class despite having such little experience. He has featured as the right eight of a midfield three, in a double pivot, and as a lone defensive midfielder at times, which just highlights how incredibly versatile he is.
The table below briefly shows how talented Vermeeren is, using stats from this season’s Champions League.
Man Utd is in the lead for the £19 million “sensation” that Mainoo would adore.
This January, Erik ten Hag is eager to bring in a gifted midfield prospect.
This season, Manchester United has had difficulty being consistent on all fronts, but their most recent victory—3-2 over Aston Villa—might give the team hope after a difficult stretch.
After ten wins and eight losses in their first eight Premier League games, Erik ten Hag’s team is currently sixth in the standings.
That being said, it is not surprising that the manager wants to add more in January, possibly having his eye on a gifted midfield player.
Arthur Vermeeren is the latest Man Utd transfer.
Numerous teams are reportedly interested in the young midfield player, but Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp is now expected to sign with Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is reportedly a big fan of the 18-year-old, who Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has called a “sensation.”
Due to injuries and Sofyan Amrabat’s poor play, the manager is eager to bolster his midfield, and a fee of €22 million (£19 million) is anticipated to be sufficient to complete the deal this January.
Arthur Vermeeren’s playwriting style
At the tender age of 17, Vermeeren established himself as a mainstay in the Antwerp team last year, and this season he has grown exponentially into a highly skilled midfield player. This season, the right-footed maestro has started every game for his team, including the Champions League, where he has received a lot of praise.
Despite having so little experience, the Belgian international exudes class and is incredibly mature for his age. His versatility is demonstrated by the fact that he has played as the right eight of a midfield three, in a double pivot, and occasionally as a lone defensive midfielder.
Vermeeren’s talent is briefly displayed in the table below, which uses data from
| Vermeeren’s UCL Stats |
| Stats (per 90) |
Vermeeren |
Percentile |
| Tackles |
3.17 |
Top 10% |
| Dribblers Tackled |
1.67 |
Top 9% |
| Blocks |
2.17 |
Top 11% |
| Assists |
0.33 |
Top 17% |
| Pass completion % |
87.5% |
Top 35% |
| Stats via FBref |
As you can see, the Belgium international is absolutely incredible out of possession, and with his skill set, he would work perfectly alongside Kobbie Mainoo in a double pivot. Both players are extremely well-rounded and can perform to the same standard regardless of their role or position. Mainoo also excels out of possession, using his energy and athleticism to regain possession and stop transitions – having been hailed as a player that can do “everything” by ex-teammate Anthony Elanga.
However, the potential signing of the Antwerp wonderkid could unleash another side to Mainoo that we are yet to fully see. Vermeeren’s off-the-ball attributes would allow United’s number 37 to show more of his technical qualities, such as his vast passing range, vision, and ability to weave past opponents.
Overall, Ten Hag has shown that he is willing to put trust in youth already this season, with Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo, and Willy Kambwala all featuring this season, which means Vermeeren would be given an opportunity to shine under the lights at Old Trafford if he were to make the move.
At present, the former Ajax boss has been forced to call upon Sofyan Amrabat in the centre of the park either alongside or in place of Mainoo, yet the experienced loanee has hardly impressed thus far, amid reports that he won’t be signed permanently at the end of the season.
Dubbed “off the pace” by club legend Peter Schmeichel for his performance in the Manchester Derby, Amrabat – who arrived from Fiorentina on a temporary deal in the summer – hardly looks like being a long-term fit in Manchester, with the arrival of young Vermeeren only set to nudge him further toward the exit door.
In today’s market, £19m for such a talented prospect who has so much room for development seems like an absolute bargain that Manchester United simply must look to complete.
Man Utd is in the lead for the £19 million “sensation” that Mainoo would adore.
This January, Erik ten Hag is eager to bring in a gifted midfield prospect.
This season, Manchester United has had difficulty being consistent on all fronts, but their most recent victory—3-2 over Aston Villa—might give the team hope after a difficult stretch.
After ten wins and eight losses in their first eight Premier League games, Erik ten Hag’s team is currently sixth in the standings.
That being said, it is not surprising that the manager wants to add more in January, possibly having his eye on a gifted midfield player.
Arthur Vermeeren is the latest Man Utd transfer.
Numerous teams are reportedly interested in the young midfield player, but Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp is now expected to sign with Old Trafford.
Ten Hag is reportedly a big fan of the 18-year-old, who Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has called a “sensation.”
Due to injuries and Sofyan Amrabat’s poor play, the manager is eager to bolster his midfield, and a fee of €22 million (£19 million) is anticipated to be sufficient to complete the deal this January.
Arthur Vermeeren’s playwriting style
At the tender age of 17, Vermeeren established himself as a mainstay in the Antwerp team last year, and this season he has grown exponentially into a highly skilled midfield player. This season, the right-footed maestro has started every game for his team, including the Champions League, where he has received a lot of praise.
Despite having so little experience, the Belgian international exudes class and is incredibly mature for his age. His versatility is demonstrated by the fact that he has played as the right eight of a midfield three, in a double pivot, and occasionally as a lone defensive midfielder.
Using statistics from the Champions League this season, Vermeeren’s skill level is briefly displayed in the table below.
For the £19 million “sensation” that Mainoo would love, Man Utd is leading the race.
Erik ten Hag is keen to add a talented midfield prospect in January.
Manchester United has struggled to be consistent this season on all fronts, but their most recent triumph—3-2 over Aston Villa—might offer the team optimism following a challenging period.
Erik ten Hag’s team is currently sixth in the Premier League standings after ten wins and eight losses in their opening eight games.
Given this, it is not shocking that the manager hopes to add more players in January—possibly because he has his eye on a talented midfielder.
The most recent Manchester United transfer is Arthur Vermeeren.
Although Arthur Vermeeren of Royal Antwerp is reportedly being courted by many teams, it is now anticipated that he will sign with Old Trafford.
It has been reported that Ten Hag is a huge admirer of the 18-year-old, whom Football Talent Scout Jacek Kulig has dubbed a “sensation.”
The manager is keen to strengthen his midfield due to injuries and Sofyan Amrabat’s lackluster performance, and a fee of €22 million (£19 million) is expected to be enough to finalize the deal this January.
The style of playwriting by Arthur Vermeeren
Vermeeren, who is only 17 years old, made a name for himself in the Antwerp squad last year, and he has developed rapidly this season into a very talented midfield player. The right-footed maestro has started all of his team’s games this season, including the Champions League, where he has drawn high appreciation.
The Belgian international has very little experience, but he exudes class and is very mature for his age. He has played in a double pivot, as the right eight of a midfield three, and on occasion as a lone defensive midfielder, demonstrating his versatility.
The table below provides a brief overview of Vermeeren’s skill using information from
The UCL Stats of Vermeeren (per ninety)Vermeeren Percentile of Attacks: 3.17; Top 10% of Dribblers: 1.67; Top 9% of Blocks2.17 Top 11% Helps 0.33Top 17% Pass percentage of 87.5%Best 35% of Stats from FBref
The Belgian international is incredibly skilled when not in possession, as evidenced by his skill set, and he would be a perfect double pivot partner for Kohli Mainoo. Both players are incredibly versatile and capable of playing at the same level in any capacity or position. Acclaimed as a player who can do “everything” by former teammate Anthony Elanga, Mainoo also shines when not in possession, using his quickness and energy to regain possession and halt transitions.
We haven’t seen all of Mainoo’s potential, though, and the signing of the Antwerp wonderkid might reveal more of his qualities. Vermeeren’s off-the-ball skills would enable the number 37 for United to showcase more of his technical abilities, including his long passing range, keen vision, and deftness in slyly evading opponents.
With Alejandro Garnacho, Mainoo, and Willy Kambwala all making appearances this season, Ten Hag has generally demonstrated that he is willing to trust in youth. If Vermeeren were to make the move, he would be given the chance to shine under the spotlight at Old Trafford.
The former Ajax manager is currently forced to use Sofyan Amrabat in the middle of the park alongside or instead of Mainoo, but the seasoned loanee hasn’t made much of an impression thus far due to rumors that he won’t be signed long-term at the end of the season.
Amrabat, who joined from Fiorentina on a temporary contract in the summer, was dubbed “off the pace” by club legend Peter Schmeichel for his performance in the Manchester Derby. He doesn’t seem like a long-term fit in Manchester, and the arrival of young Vermeeren is only going to push him closer to the exit door.
In today’s market, Manchester United should look to complete the deal for this talented prospect who is only £19 million away and has a ton of room to grow.
Erik ten Hag, the manager of Manchester United, came away from Liverpool with a goalless draw, but remains under pressure. (Image: Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
