DONNY VAN DE BEEK could only watch on from the sidelines as Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang swept Arsenal to a deserved 1-0 win at Old Trafford.
The Dutchman, signed for an initial £35million in the summer, was summoned six minutes later, but it proved to be too little, too late.
Donny van de Beek was again on the bench as Manchester United lost to ArsenalCredit: EPA
His manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, decided to experiment with an odd-looking 4-4-2 diamond formation, in order to try and accommodate four central players in his midfield.
But not one of them was his brand new signing.
United looked awkward all afternoon, with Paul Pogba and Scott McTominay struggling to get to grips with the exact nature of their roles on each side of the diamond, consistently leaving Luke Shaw and Aaron Wan-Bissaka with little protection.
And it didn’t even give them any great creative impetus, with Arsenal keeping them penned back for much of the game – as their own summer midfield recruit Thomas Partey was allowed to pull strings.
When called upon, Van de Beek, who is still yet to start a Premier League game, scurried around as has become characteristic this season, desperate to make things happen for his new side.
And he was unfortunate not to nab an assist, as his cross took a double deflection before bouncing off the post.
The former Ajax ace has drawn rave reviews for his cup exploits and Premier League cameos from fans and pundits alike.
But his manager still appears daunted by the task of trying to fit him, Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba into the same side.
The Dutchman looked to make things happen during his 15 minute cameoCredit: AFP or Licensors
The wolves were circling around Solskjaer after his team’s 6-1 drubbing at the hands of Spurs, before pressure eased during a subsequent decent run, culminating in Wednesday’s 5-0 win over RB Leipzig.
But if he isn’t careful, this cycle could keep repeating itself, until it becomes a bad result too many for the Red Devils hierarchy… and it’s suddenly someone else’s task to accommodate this litany of central attacking stars.
For now, however, Van de Beek will have to remain patient, as his manager strives for some sort of consistent winning formula at home.
Solskjaer insists Donny van de Beek to play ‘big part’ in United’s season
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
