Manchester United have shown strong ambition in the transfer market this summer, aiming to rejuvenate their squad. Under the new ownership of INEOS, the club has invested significantly to bring in the highly-rated defender Leny Yoro from Lille and striker Joshua Zirkzee from Bologna. These signings follow a lackluster 2023/24 Premier League season where United finished eighth. Nevertheless, the team redeemed their season by winning the FA Cup, overcoming Manchester City 2-1 at Wembley with goals from Alejandro Garnacho and Kobbie Mainoo in the first half.
The FA Cup victory was vital for Manchester United as it secured their spot in the Europa League for the upcoming season. However, the club’s substantial spending reflects a strong desire to return to the Champions League for the 2025/26 season. Recent transfer updates suggest that Manchester United is considering PSV Eindhoven’s Joey Veerman as an alternative to PSG’s Manuel Ugarte to bolster their midfield.
According to Football Transfers, Manchester United is looking at Veerman, with Scott McTominay likely to be sold to facilitate this new addition. McTominay is valued at £40 million, while Veerman, valued at £34 million by Transfermarkt, made 41 appearances for PSV last season, scoring seven goals, providing 19 assists, and playing a total of 3,420 minutes.
A comparison of Veerman with Manchester City’s midfield star Rodri, using FBref’s “similar players” feature, shows that Veerman ranks among Rodri’s top ten comparisons from Euro 2024. This is particularly relevant for Manchester United as they look to replace Casemiro and find a new midfield partner for Mainoo. If Veerman can provide the same technical assurance on the ball as Rodri—such as effectively shielding the defense, disrupting counterattacks, and controlling the game’s rhythm—he could be a valuable addition to the team.
Veerman’s per-90-minute statistics underscore his exceptional creative passing abilities. He averages 4.91 key passes and 11.86 progressive passes per 90 minutes, figures that are quite similar to Rodri’s, who records 12.28 progressive passes per 90 and is widely regarded as one of the best in this area. Rodri’s effectiveness is partly attributed to City’s dominance in possession.
Veerman’s technical proficiency and high pass volume, attempting 20 more passes per 90 minutes than Casemiro, enable him to control the game from a deeper position. His performances for the Netherlands in Euro 2024 drew comparisons to Rodri, highlighting his ability to enhance United’s build-up play with his passing variety and ball-carrying skills. This would allow Mainoo to advance into more attacking positions.
Defensively, Veerman is also strong, averaging 2.57 tackles, 1.13 blocks, and winning 1.17 aerial duels per 90 minutes. These defensive stats are comparable to Rodri’s and remain close to Casemiro’s, despite Casemiro’s decline due to age and reduced mobility. Veerman’s combination of creative and defensive abilities makes him a well-rounded choice to partner with Mainoo, supporting United’s goals in the Europa League and their pursuit of a Champions League return.
In conclusion, Manchester United’s summer transfer strategy underscores their ambition to rebuild and enhance the squad following a tough Premier League season. The signings of Leny Yoro and Joshua Zirkzee reflect their intent to strengthen both defense and attack. Joey Veerman, with his notable passing and defensive skills, stands out as a potential midfield target, particularly if McTominay is sold. The comparison with Rodri suggests that Veerman could offer similar technical security and passing prowess, making him an ideal partner for Mainoo and a key asset in United’s pursuit of European success.
