Why the hell have Man Utd kept Van de Beek?

Nicholas Hughes

• Updated: 31 Aug 2021 22:18 BST
• 6 min read

Manchester United looked to be the natural next step in Donny van de Beek’s evolution, but the Dutchman has had a torrid time since arriving at Old Trafford from Ajax last summer.

Despite coming off the bench to score on his debut against Crystal Palace, van de Beek went on to start a mere four games in the Premier League, with an additional 15 appearances off the bench.

Injury heading into the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 campaign only further compounded what was a dismal season for the 24-year-old.

Almost a year to the day when he was signed, the player and his agent have been seeking a move away from Old Trafford, only for any advances from elsewhere to be rebuffed.

Guido Albers, van de Beek’s agent, told Voetbal International there was plenty of interest in his client and said he had tried to secure a move before being denied by the club.

“There was a lot of interest from Italy, Germany, England, so that looked good. But you need cooperation of the club, and it looked like they would, but ultimately they didn’t,” he said.

“Disappointed, but also assuring for him so that he will get his chance, and will get his minutes, but this will become clear in due time.

“He’s been promised that before, but we came to a clear agreement about this with the club, so we have all faith that it will happen now.”

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer said during the week that van de Beek had been unlucky not to feature in the first three games of the season and insisted that he would have a role to play going forward.

“Donny, as I said earlier on, has been unfortunate,” he said before United’s 1-0 win over Wolves on Sunday.

“When you’ve only got a game every eight days, it’s hard for a manager when you’ve got the quality of players I’ve got.

“But when we come back from the international break, there will be games for everyone. Donny knows that when he keeps on performing and training how he does for us, he’ll be fit and ready when he plays.”

Van de Beek could be set for more minutes at Man United this season

Solskjaer also hinted at some work occurring on the training ground in utilising van de Beek in different roles, but said it would depend on who else is selected to play in midfield.

The comments from both Albers and Solskjaer would hint at an increase in minutes for van de Beek, but as Albers also said, he has been told that before.

It seems now it is up to the club to hold up their end of the bargain. If Solskjaer remains hesitant to play van de Beek, then there can surely be no stopping him from seeking a move again in the future.