Marco van Basten calls Erik ten Hag’s former Manchester United target ‘technically substandard’

Brian Brobbey of Ajax, in Marco van Basten’s opinion, is “technically substandard,” and Wout Weghorst is a better player for the Netherlands national team.

After graduating from Ajax’s academy, Brobbey signed a free move to RB Leipzig in 2021. After only a year in Germany, the striker returned to Ajax on loan, and the Dutch team made the agreement permanent for an upfront €16.3 million (£13.8 million) payment.

In the summer of 2022, Erik ten Hag made an effort to sign Brobbey for Manchester United and even spoke with the 22-year-old to talk about a potential transfer to Old Trafford.

Nonetheless, Van Basten thinks United would have acquired a striker who is unsteady in front of goal.

On Monday’s “Rondo” broadcast on Ziggo Sport, Van Basten declared, “He is not a cool guy, not a finisher.”

Not a sophisticated guy, but a decent point of contact and hard worker.

He is constantly engaged in a duel and arguing with everyone and everything. His constant tugging and pushing is not wise.

The fact that he is intelligent and technically proficient ought to be an asset. As a striker, you need certain qualities, but it’s difficult to locate them with him.

Van Basten says Weghorst, who transferred from Burnley to Ajax in the summer, is leading by example for his teammate and holds Ajax responsible for what he sees as Brobbey’s lack of progress.

“Every training program is responsible.” After all these years, what in the world have you done with a boy like that? stated Van Basten.

He is not particularly technical, but he is naturally strong, competent, and explosive. You have trained for an average pass rate, which is what it should be. That is, in my opinion, actually a drawback.

Weghorst appears to have an easier time with the ball when he heads and makes one-twos. Of course, I’m not here to criticize Brobbey; he has his merits as well. However, Weghorst, who enters the game for ten minutes, scores a goal and assists another.

Weghorst improves with age. With diligence and quality training, you improve. That’s another route for Brobbey.