Gary Neville has had his say on Donny van de Beek’s surprising situation at Manchester United, admitting he feels sorry for the player.
The young Netherlands international signed for Manchester United in the summer after coming through Ajax’s world-renowned academy.
“Van de Beek is a very good football player and at the moment he’s having a tough time and I feel sorry for the lad,” Neville told Webby & O’Neill (Fan channel on YouTube).
“Every time I watch him on the bench warming up, every time we show him on the cameras I’m thinking, I feel I want to hug him.
“I feel like oh my god – I know, I shouldn’t be hugging him because he’s 40 million quid and we’re in coronavirus. I can’t hug him.
“But I think oh god Donny! Donny come round for tea. Relax. He must be thinking what have I come here for?”
Gary Neville on Donny van de Beek 🍽️#MUFC pic.twitter.com/hhq5zeaj7e
— WebbyONeill (@WebbyONeill) February 13, 2021
United spent £35m to secure his signature, as per GOAL, but he hasn’t played anywhere near the amount of games most would have expected when he joined the club.
Van de Beek sits on the bench most weeks, but he was given a start against West Ham during the week. Obviously, it’s difficult for players to find their rhythm when they play so irregularly.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has repeatedly stressed that Van de Beek will get his time at United, and as a football manager people need to respect that it’s his call when the team is announced before each game.
The way I see it is, Van de Beek is a very good footballer but he’s also one who doesn’t look ready for the Premier League. It could take time and Van de Beek must be patient, but I really don’t think Solskjaer wants to give up on him.
Read more: Video: United target Jadon Sancho scores sixth goal in 10 games for BVB
