Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is annoyed by his lack of playing time and last week’s Champions League match against Villarreal saw the Dutchman put his frustrations into the public domain.
Spotted on the Red Devils’ bench fuming and throwing his chewing gum after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer opted against introducing him, questions have once again been raised over the midfielder’s long-term United future.
Having started just four Premier League matches since his arrival from Ajax well over 12-months ago, it’s becoming increasingly apparent that Solskjaer does not view the midfielder as one of his best.
This summer’s transfer window saw van de Beek linked with a shock departure with Everton among those rumoured to be interested.
However, after a move clearly failed to be agreed upon, the start of the new 2021-22 season saw the Holland international remain on the Red Devils’ books.
Read more: Opinion: One major tactical change could relieve Solskjaer pressure
However, speaking recently, Everton’s Director of Football, Marcel Brands, has detailed exactly how close the Toffees came to luring van de Beek away from Old Trafford.
“We had him on our list,” Brands said (as quoted by NOS). “At the beginning of the transfer window, we enquired at United, then it was impossible. At the end of the window, I received a call from Guido Albers, his agent, that he might be rented out after all. But at the last minute it was cancelled. Stopped again.
Asked whether or not a potential January move could be on the cards, Brands added: “You always depend on whether a club wants to cooperate. And it is early October, so much can still happen with injuries. United are playing on various fronts, it’s hard to say now.
“It is of course a pity for Donny. He is a very good player, no doubt about it. Such a boy wants to play and wants to return to the Dutch national team. But you know that at such a club the pressure is great and the competition is huge. When you see what United had sitting on the bench: Cristiano Ronaldo, Jadon Sancho, Paul Pogba…”
