When Manchester United announced they had agreed a deal with Ajax for Donny van de Beek’s transfer last summer, it generated a lot of excitement, considering the midfielder’s qualities and what he had showcased at the Eredivisie side.
The 24-year-old’s first season in England has been disappointing, and he’s been restricted to only two league starts and both of them came in the first half of the season.
He made five more starts in other competitions in 2021, out of which four came in the FA Cup.
The Netherlands international’s decision to join the Red Devils has been questioned, particularly in his own country, and it’s still a topic of discussion there.
Former Ajax and AC Milan star Marco van Basten has used Van de Beek’s situation with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side as an example to warn other players who have plans to leave the likes of Ajax and other Dutch clubs for an adventure abroad.
“It just shows what a great life they have when they play at Ajax,” Van Basten told Ziggo Sport, as relayed by Soccernews.nl.
“They all think very quickly that they are a big boy here and can make it in other countries, but in the Netherlands, there is a nice competition.
“In a team like Ajax you are really helped, especially in the No.10 position. Then you often see that they go abroad and it is a different story.”
Van Basten also gave an advice to Van de Beek on how he can improve his situation at the Premier League club.
“You have to be able to take care of yourself. If you go to a club in another country, you have to be able to present yourself in that team in a way that the others will think: he is one of us and with him we are going to win,” he explained.
