Paul Merson: Man Utd should ask serious questions for failing to sign Van de Ven
Paul Merson has claimed Manchester United's hierarchy should be asking 'serious questions of manager Erik ten Hag for failing to sign Tottenham centre back Micky van de Ven in the summer.
Tottenham signed Van de Ven from Bundesliga side Wolfsburg in a £43million transfer in the summer.
The 22-year-old has formed a crucial partnership at the heart of Tottenham's defence with Cristian Romero, conceding just nine goals in 10 Premier League games this season.
Van de Ven and Romero have helped Spurs enjoy an unbeaten start to the Premier League season, with Ange Postecoglou's side occupying top spot on 26 points.
The centre back has been rewarded for his early season form by earning his first caps for the Netherlands during last month's international break.
Merson believes Man United should be questioning Ten Hag over the failure to target his fellow Dutchman, with the former Arsenal midfielder highlighting their defensive issues this season.
The Red Devils have conceded 16 goals in the Premier League and have been forced to call upon veteran Jonny Evans after injuries to Raphael Varane and Lisandro Martinez.
‘I would be asking questions if I owned the club. I would be sitting there now and I would be going to you as the manager, “Why didn’t we get the lad at Tottenham?”, Merson told Sky Sports.
'"He’s Dutch. You are Dutch. You know the league. You know the players. Why is he at Tottenham and he isn’t here? And we haven’t got a centre-half.”
‘No disrespect to Evans. But you are playing a 30-odd-year-old next to Maguire. Varane can’t get fit. Lindelof, I don’t think is a real centre-half, if I am being totally honest. I wouldn’t mind him marking me.
‘Then you are looking at this player [Van de Ven] who is one of the best centre-halves
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