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

Marco van Basten believes Ajax striker Brian Brobbey is ‘technically substandard’ and feels Wout Weghorst offers more for the Netherlands national team.

Brobbey came through Ajax’s academy before he joined RB Leipzig on a free transfer in 2021. The striker spent just one year in Germany before returning to Ajax on loan before the Dutch club made the deal permanent for an initial €16.3 million (£13.8m) fee.

Erik ten Hag attempted to sign Brobbey for Manchester United in the summer of 2022 and even got in touch with the 22-year-old to discuss a possible move to Old Trafford.

But Van Basten believes United would have signed a striker who lacks composure in front of goal.

‘He is not a cool guy, not a finisher,’ Van Basten said on Ziggo Sport’s ‘Rondo’ show on Monday.

‘A hard worker, a good point of contact, but not a refined guy.

‘He is always arguing with everyone and everything, is always in a duel. He is always pushing and pulling, that is not smart.

‘It should be a strength that he is technically good and therefore smart. Those are things you need to have as a striker but that is hard to find with him.’

Van Basten blames Ajax for what he believes is a lack of development in Brobbey and says Weghorst, who joined Ajax from Burnley in the summer, is setting an example for his teammate.

‘The entire training is accountable. What on earth have you done with such a boy all these years?’ Van Basten said.

‘He is naturally strong, good enough, explosive, but technically substandard. It should be an average of a pass, that’s what you have training for. I think that is really a shortcoming.

‘When you see Weghorst heading, making one-twos, he has it a little easier on the ball. Brobbey has his qualities too, of course, I’m not here to disapprove of him, but Weghorst comes on for ten minutes and scores a goal and gives an assist.

‘Weghorst gets better with age. Good training and dedication, then you get better. That’s also a way for Brobbey.’

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