Man Utd FLOP tipped to 'restart' career with surprise club

Cameron Smith

11 Jul 2023 16:49 BST
3 min read

Donny van de Beek has been told that a transfer to Scottish Premiership giants Celtic would help “kickstart” his career after being outcasted by Manchester United.

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The Dutch midfielder joined the Red Devils for €39 million in 2020 after impressing on the European stage for Ajax, and was purchased with the idea of rotating with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba in the middle of the park at Old Trafford.

However, he found game time hard to come by under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer. He was then shipped to Everton on loan in January 2022 - with Ralf Rangnick in interim charge at Man Utd - but mustered just seven appearances for the Toffees before a thigh injury kept him out for the remainder of the campaign.

Erik ten Hag’s appointment last summer was seen as a positive sign for Van de Beek’s chances of igniting his Man Utd career - after all, Ten Hag was the man who gave him an opportunity in the Ajax senior side - but he remained on the periphery.

Now, he has been heavily linked with a departure from Old Trafford, with Celtic interested in signing him, according to a report from 90min.

Former Hoops boss Neil Lennon believes a move to the Glasgow giants would be a sensible step for Van de Beek.

What has Lennon said?

Lennon appeared on the Go Radio Football Show and was asked about the rumours linking Van de Beek to Celtic Park and whether it would be a good move for the Dutchman. “Possibly,” he replied. “His career has sort of stalled a bit. He was outstanding for Ajax the season they got to the semi-finals of the Champions League in that really good young Ajax team.

“He went to United and it didn't work out and he went on loan to Everton and that didn't work out either. So he needs a kickstart and maybe Celtic is that place for him. He's certainly shown he's got the pedigree and you never lose it, you just sometimes lose your confidence or your hunger and lose your way a little bit.

"Players of that calibre just need a restart and maybe he's thinking Celtic might be that place to go but I mean, there's a lot of work to be done in a deal involving that.

"He'll be on huge money, let's not beat around the bush here. Realistically, if you're talking about [Scott] McTominay, [Kieran] Tierney or Van de Beek, it'll probably be a loan and Celtic making a contribution towards the wages.”

Van de Beek has two years left on his Man Utd contract, with the option for a further year, but the Red Devils could look to offload him this summer after signing Mason Mount from Chelsea.