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Donny van de Beek has been given more than 1000 minutes for Manchester United so far this season, with just over 300 of those coming in the Premier League.

He’s managed a goal and an assist in that time, although both of those came all the way back in December. The Dutchman hasn’t been given regular opportunities, and when he has got on the pitch he’s failed to convince Ole Gunnar Solskjaer to include him in the regular starting elevens.

At first the Dutch media reaction was very calm, despite a big deal being made of the situation in England. That changed a month or so ago, with concern growing in the Netherlands about the midfielder’s situation.

Ruud Gullit writes a regular column for De Telegraaf, and he’s explained that there may be a theme behind players, midfielders mainly, taking time to adapt when they leave Ajax.

Stating Van de Beek is ‘struggling, Gullit explained: ‘Whether it was Davy Klaassen, Donny van de Beek, Lasse Schöne or Hakim Ziyech and even Frenkie de Jong. They are great players, but even they are struggling. De Jong is sometimes still a bit changeable, but is the furthest on of all those players in adapting to his new club and new environment. It is no coincidence that he plays at FC Barcelona, at a club that is closest to Ajax in terms of philosophy.’

De Jong didn’t fully impose himself during his first season with Barcelona, and given he was always considered far above Van de Beek, it’s perhaps no surprise the Manchester United player is taking time to adapt.

Now he has to quickly prove he can kick-on, just like De Jong, rather than having to escape quickly after a transfer, in the way Klaassen and Schöne did.

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