DONNY VAN DE BEEK should have REJECTED Manchester United and bided his time at Ajax, Marco van Basten has claimed.
Real Madrid were also strongly linked with the midfielder before he completed a £40million move to Old Trafford in September.
Donny van de Beek is yet to earn a start in the Premier LeagueCredit: AP:Associated Press
Marco van Basten feels the player should have waited to sign for another teamCredit: EPA
But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has hardly played van de Beek, awarding him just four substitute outings in the Premier League.
The weekend’s 0-0 draw with Chelsea saw the Dutchman left on the bench, his boss preferring to bring on Mason Greenwood, Edinson Cavani and Paul Pogba.
That left Holland legend van Basten, 55, ruing his countryman’s switch to Manchester.
Van Basten told Ziggo Sport, via the Mail: “Donny should not have gone to Manchester United.
“When you are a good player you want to play every week.
“It is really bad for a player like Donny to play only six or seven games this year. That is shocking for your match rhythm.
“I know he is earning loads and loads more than he used to. But as a top player you have to be critical and look at the chances of playing when you sign for a new club.
“Donny should have waited for better prospects and signed for another club.”
Ajax fans gave van de Beek a stunning send-off as their academy product left Amsterdam in the summer.
But he has not been warmly welcomed in Manchester, with former United star Patrice Evra questioning whether the team needs him.
The Frenchman told Sky Sports on Sunday: “We’re talking about Van de Beek. Nothing against the kid, but why have we bought him?
“He’s watching the game from the stand every game. We don’t need him, that’s the truth.”
Van de Beek cut a frustrated figure in the Old Trafford stands as United remained lodged in lower mid-table after five games.
The Red Devils’ struggles have led to eyebrows being raised over his situation, Gary Neville pondering over the weekend why the midfielder is not being played.
But Solskjaer insists the 23-year-old will get a chance, having ‘impressed’ in training.
Neville said: “He doesn’t seem to be at the forefront of Solskjaer’s plans. It’s a bit of a mystery.
“The more he doesn’t start, and the more he doesn’t come on, the more you’re thinking, ‘£40m player, you’d get him in the team’.
“He must be thinking, ‘What am I doing here?’ at this moment in time.”
Man Utd boss Solskjaer tells his thoughts on new signing Donny van de Beek
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
