Donny van de Beek is yet to start for Manchester United in the Premier League since arriving at Old Trafford from Ajax in the last window.
The 23-year-old has started twice in the EFL Cup, but had to settle for four substitute appearances in the league. He didn’t even come off the bench in the Red Devils’ goalless draw against Chelsea on Saturday.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been criticised by a section of the Dutch media and Algemeen Dagblad even went on to warn the Netherlands international that he faces a ‘disaster year’ with United.
Danny Blind, father of former United man Daley Blind, and also a former Netherlands manager, has advised Van de Beek and his camp to think about their choice of joining the Premier League side.
“The first question that Donny and his management have to ask themselves is: what am I being brought in for and what are Solskjaer’s plans? I can’t judge that,” Blind told Ziggo Sport, as relayed by Voetbal Primeur.
“I thought they might be playing him behind the striker, but they don’t. They always play with a block of two [midfielders], with Pogba, Matic, Fred and/or McTominay.
“Donny has to play for that, but for the time being Fernandes is there and he has to make do with the minutes he gets. It is beyond dispute that he is a good player, but I hope he made the right choice.”
Former Ajax star and manager Marco van Basten, who appeared as a guest on Ziggo Sport, has also questioned Van de Beek’s decision to join the English club. Van Basten is of the belief Manchester United is not the right club for the midfielder.
“It is very bad for such a boy to only play six or seven times in a year. That’s terrible for your rhythm! You can earn a lot more, but you also have to see where you can play,” Van Basten was quoted as saying by Voetbal Primeur.
Van Basten even dismissed the suggestion Van de Beek needs more time to adapt to the demands of the English football.
“Is it about a five-year contract that he can sign? No, that’s nonsense. Then you should not go to Manchester United, but wait with or go to another club. You have to want to play football every week, and such a club is then bad for your career,” he explained.
It’s worth noting there’s also been much calmer takes in the Dutch media, with Van de Beek being told on Saturday that he needs to show patience, and everyone else being told to calm down.
