Paul Ince is adamant Donny van de Beek’s career at Manchester United is coming to a close and expects the midfielder to be offloaded in January.
At times, Donny van de Beek has cut a sorry figure after repeatedly failing to break through into this Manchester United side, despite his evident talent. A big-money signing from Ajax last summer, expectations were high on the shoulders of the young Dutchman, but so far, he has struggled to deliver.
The midweek Champion League loss to Young Boys exemplified his role in the side, as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer took no time to sacrifice him after Aaron Wan Bissaka’s dismissal in the first half. Similarly, the midfielder got overlooked last season even when Manchester United lacked midfield options and played most of his games from the bench.
Despite the manager’s comments regarding a positive role for van de Beek in the new season, Solskjaer is yet to pick him regularly, even as a substitute. Recently, former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov predicted United would sell the Dutchman at the next available opportunity. The Bulgarian’s comments were echoed by former Manchester United ace Paul Ince, who believes the Dutchman’s career at the club is ending.
Manchester United even blocked a late move to Everton when it was reported the player was keen on the transfer to get regular playing time. Van de Beek had been a regular for nearly five seasons with Ajax and was at the heart of the team that reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019.
Transfer Market Web put up quotes from Ince’s talk with YouTube channel The United Stand, where the former midfielder claimed van de Beek is running out of time and could be sold by the club in the January window. He got started when asked if van de Beek fell into Solskjaer’s long-term plans at the club?
Ince said, “Absolutely no chance! “He’s tried to make the player happy [by playing him]. It’s always tough when you don’t play to come and make an impression on your first start and to sub him off at half-time. What does it say to us, what does it say to the fans?”
“What does it say to Donny? If I can’t get a full game against Young Boys, ten men or no ten men, then it’s time for me to go.”
If Manchester United do decide to sell him in January or next summer, there will be many suitors for the Dutchman. However, it will be interesting to see what fee the club demand for the out-of-favour midfielder in those windows.
