Robbie Walls
Former Manchester United boss Louis Van Gaal has questioned fellow Dutchman Donny Van de Beek’s decision to move to Old Trafford, the midfielder having struggled for game time since his arrival from Ajax.
The 23-year-old had been an integral part of the Ajax side which had impressed both domestically and in the Champions League over the past few seasons, yet since his £40m move to Manchester, he’s not quite managed a run of games in the starting lineup as yet.
The Dutch international did score on his debut in the opening day defeat to Crystal Palace back in September, yet that remains his only goal to date as he continues to find himself kept on the bench with boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer favouring a midfield trio of Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay and Fred.
The versatile midfielder had originally been linked with a move to Real Madrid over the last year or so, yet the financial impact of Covid-19 left the La Liga giants unable to make any such move, allowing Manchester United to swoop in and bolster their already well-stocked midfield ranks.
Despite being only a few months into his United career there are plenty who are already questioning the decision to sign the player and the player’s decision to move, with Louis Van Gaal – who won the FA Cup while at the helm at Old Trafford between 2014 – 2016 – outlining his belief that Van de Beek is wasted at the club.
“I hope his time will come, but I don’t think he made a good choice,” the former United boss told Football Oranje.
“I said that right away. If you have Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes, what position should Van de Beek be in?
“He doesn’t have the qualities of Pogba and Fernandes. And now you see that Pogba often doesn’t start. Where should Van de Beek play then?
“I think you could have seen that beforehand. There are so many teams, which could have done better justice to him, also in the top. He is a boy with many qualities.”
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