Former Manchester United striker Dimitar Berbatov has been left disappointed and surprised by Donny van de Beek’s situation.
The Netherlands international joined Manchester United from Ajax last summer but hasn’t had a proper run in the team to prove himself yet.
Van de Beek has had a few cameos in the team but nowhere near enough, even if he still needs to warrant a place in the starting eleven.
Berbatov has found the whole saga frustrating and thinks Van de Beek should try to leave the club in order to get his career back on track.
“I don’t think we’re going to see any more playing time from Donny van de Beek,” Berbatov told Betfair, as quoted by the Metro.
“It’s a really strange, disappointing and surprising situation. They spent around £35 million on him, to pay that for a player who isn’t starting many games, doesn’t make sense.
“I’m not blaming the player at all, but for me it’s one of the most disappointing transfers ever.
“He has got a lot of quality. I don’t like it when clubs buy for the sake of buying and this is one of those situations. I’m sure he’s banging on the manager’s door and asking questions.
“I think if he’s not happy, Van de Beek should push to leave. His place in the national team is at risk, especially now with Louis van Gaal in charge. Van Gaal is a disciplinarian who like his players to play football.
“Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes are untouchable in the United midfield at the moment. Scott McTominay, Fred and even 33-year-old Nemanja Matic are ahead of van de Beek.
“I know how Van de Beek feels. In the late stage of my career I was playing in Greece, the president wanted me and signed me, but the coach didn’t want me and we had some issues. It is frustrating for a player. He needs to have a long hard think about his situation and what he wants.”
Fellow United midfielder Scott McTominay has been ruled out of this weekend’s game – and for the foreseeable future – after undergoing surgery on a groin injury.
Surely that will grant Van de Beek an opportunity to get some game time under his belt.
The player’s agent claims his client is happy with the clarity given by Solskjaer ahead of the new season, so maybe Berbatov and a few fans on social media are overreacting.
Solskjaer’s job is to pick the team to win the match. Everyone wants Van de Beek in when, but who do you take out?
Let us know in the comments section.
