WHAT MORE does Donny van de Beek have to do to be trusted in the Premier League?
Since his £40m summer arrival at Manchester United from Ajax, the Dutchman has started three out of four Champions League group games, including the stroll past Istanbul Basaksehir.
Donny van de Beek has done enough to warrant a regular starting spot at UnitedCredit: Getty Images – Getty
It was a performance full of forward-thinking efficiency, consistency and creativity from the heart of a United midfield that has been lacking in those departments.
Yet he has started none of United’s eight league games so far, playing just 88 minutes. And when he has, it has been alongside four different midfield partners.
It must be a bizarre feeling to be depended on against last year’s semi-finalists Red Bull Leipzig in Europe’s elite competition, but limited to just 11 minutes at home to West Brom.
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And after yet another impressive Euro display, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer must be running out of excuses.
One of his excuses, the enigma that is Paul Pogba, was taken out of the United boss’ hands last night after revealing the Frenchman remains troubled with injuries.
“His ankle has swollen up,” said Solskjaer. “He trained yesterday but it didn’t feel right. This morning it was just confirmation he couldn’t play.”
A blessing in disguise for Van de Beek perhaps, who continues to show – in Europe at least – what an asset he can be for United when used correctly.
One of the issues facing Van de Beek is Bruno Fernandes, who scored twice in a driven performance. The comparisons are constant, but unnecessary.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer will have been delighted with the performance of his young DutchmanCredit: Reuters
Van de Beek is just not that sort of player, and ironically, showed just how helpful he can be to Fernandes when deployed as a holding No.6 against Istanbul.
Former Dutch international Rafael Van der Vaart half-jokingly suggested earlier this month that his compatriot is the only United player who can ‘kick a marble’.
He arguably has a point; last night’s passing display and control over the game was full of exactly what United’s front line have been crying out for – forward-thinking passes.
Nothing fancy or spectacular, but brave, accurate, and almost always into the feet of United’s most dangerous player in Fernandes.
That exact combination ended with Marcus Rashford having a well-worked goal ruled out for offside, while a round-the-corner pass in his own half sparked the attack for Fernandes’ second.
Van de Beek has staked his claim for a place in Solskjaer’s starting XICredit: EPA
United legends Rio Ferdinand and Paul Scholes saw it too.
“He is a breath of fresh air,” admitted Rio. “He is getting the ball and transitioning it to attacking areas well. A big difference to what we have seen in the last few weeks.”
Scholes agreed: “His link-up play with Bruno was very clever.”
In fairness to Ole, there still remain doubts over Van de Beek out of possession.
But with the ball, it is hard to find a player in this current United squad that can manipulate the ball, spark attacks and keep it ticking better than Donny.
And with Pogba a doubt for the weekend trip to Southampton, all eyes will be on Ole’s team sheet.
Another place on the bench for Donny in the league, and he may just lose his marbles. More
