Van de Beek's time running out as Man Utd midfielder flops again
Robin Bairner
- 23 Jul 2022 12:31 BST
- 3 min read
For most players, pre-season is about finding fitness and sharpness, but for Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek, it offers a precious opportunity to show manager Erik ten Hag that he is a player worthy of consideration for selection at one of the world’s biggest clubs.
A protegee of his compatriot at Ajax, the 25-year-old Van de Beek was expected to be one of the big winners of Ten Hag’s appointment as Man Utd boss.
Given the troubles that the Red Devils have had in terms of recruitment – Tyrell Malacia, Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez are the only players they have signed – and the shortage of central midfielders in their ranks, the tour of Thailand and Australia should have been Van de Beek’s chance to shine.
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Scott McTominay’s absence due to injury opened the door for the former Ajax man to get his first start of the tour against Aston Villa on Saturday – but instead of grasping it, he delivered a performance that is only likely to see him ushered out of the door.
There is little doubt that he has been Man Utd’s biggest loser of their pre-season tour.
Man Utd impress against Villa
Man Utd sparkled in the first half, showcasing all the hallmarks of the system Ten Hag employed at Ajax to make them a force to be reckoned with: the wide players thrived and the press was good, there was more structure than has been evident in recent years and they led 2-0 at the break thanks to a goal from Jadon Sancho and an own goal from Matty Cash provoked by Marcus Rashford.
But while the likes of Rashford and Anthony Martial have forced themselves into Ten Hag’s plans with bright pre-season displays, Van de Beek continues to be little more than a passenger.
Throughout the first half of the Villa clash, he failed to impose himself and he was withdrawn midway through the second period without having made a telling contribution to the game.
Ten Hag on Van de Beek
Speaking on the eve of the Aston Villa fixture, Ten Hag was asked about Van de Beek’s role in the squad.
“It's the same for every player, he has to do it by himself,” he said. “Me as a manager and the coaching staff around him can do everything to set the right conditions so he can perform but in the end the player has to do it by himself.
“They have to take responsibility for their performance. Donny has the capability. I have seen it but he has to prove himself.”
Van de Beek failed to take that chance in a Man Utd side showing all the hallmarks of a Ten Hag team against Aston Villa, which begs the question: just when can he? It’s only pre-season, but time is already running out for him to find an answer.
