Dutch footballing hero and multiple Ballon d’Or winner Marco van Basten has shockingly slammed Donny van de Beek’s summer decision to leave Ajax in favour of Manchester United. The former world-class striker claims that United’s new midfielder cannot be disappointed with his lack of playing time after stating that he ‘should have known better’.
Van de Beek, 23, became Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s first summer signing in a move which cost the Reds’ hierarchy £39m, as per Sky Sports.
The 23-year old midfielder joined United off the back of a superb spell with Ajax, which was best highlighted during the 2018-19 season which saw the Dutchman heavily involved in his side’s dramatic Champions League semi-final run.
However, despite the initial excitement surrounding the versatile playmaker’s Old Trafford arrival, van de Beek has so far failed to start a single Premier League match with his only starts coming in the EFL Cup.
United manager Solskjaer is coming under increasing pressure from fans to award his new midfielder with more game-time and Dutch hero van Basten feels van de Beek should have bided his time with Ajax and snubbed a United move.
According to Voetbal Primeur via Ziggo Sport’s ‘Rondo’ programme, legendary van Basten who now works as an analyst for Ziggo Sport said: “It is very bad for such a boy to only play six or seven times in a year, that’s terrible for your rhythm! You can earn a lot more, but you also have to see where you can play.
“Is it about a five-year contract that he can sign? No, that’s b*******. Then you shouldn’t go to Manchester United, but wait with that or to another club.”
“You have to want to play football every week, and such a club is then bad for your career.”
Van Basten’s stunning comments just five domestic games into the season and the Dutchman could definitely be accused of taking it a bit too far.
United are set to play in their second Champions League Group H match against RB Leipzig in three days time.
With such a tough set of fixtures coming thick and fast, it would be reasonable to suspect van de Beek will get a chance to gather more minutes under his belt when the Reds host Julian Nagelsmann’s side on Wednesday.
However, should he be denied, then criticism over Solskjaer’s handling of van de Beek is only going to continue, but until then, perhaps judgement should remain reserved especially when the season is still in it’s infancy.
In light of van Basten’s shocking comments, selection of fans have taken to their social media to react.
Never made sense, I always saw it as a pogba replacement
— Alexis’ Kavkas View 🇦🇿🇦🇿 (@AlexisIsKavkas) October 26, 2020
No excuse for Ole playing Dan James over him and don’t tell me it’s not his position cos it’s certainly not Dan James position either
— Patrick O Callaghan (@pa_callaghan) October 26, 2020
I remember when the big man was in charge he use to do the same with players they use to get out side English league how it diff tis days all the best players who came to the English had to learn the league first
— i hate fifa (@yoyo01538616) October 26, 2020
Plz shut the hell up…ffs we 5 games into the season and everybody is carrying on like he hasn’t played for months, when we didn’t habe depth then everybody was complaining now that we do they still complain ffs
— Ffs (@Eba018) October 26, 2020
No wonder the way we have treated him is shocking, sitting 15th and he cant even get a game. baffling
— Andrew J. Naismith (@Gonk83) October 26, 2020
Honestly, Marco’s statements are just ridiculous and it’s really pissing me off. I get it, Donny is a good player bt he needs time to adapt plus he has to earn the right to play. You don’t jst throw Fred and Scott under the bus because of him. When it comes to United pple always want to make a big deal out of nothing. Why is he not complain of Ziyech at Chelsea. Jst Ridiculous!