£40m flop labelled ‘too lightweight’ at Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is “too lightweight” and “doesn’t play with any conviction”, journalist Steve Bates has told GIVEMESPORT.

Since arriving from Ajax in a deal worth £40 million two-and-a-half years ago, van de Beek has failed to live up to expectations for United.

Man United latest news – Donny van de Beek

There were such high hopes for van de Beek when he arrived at Old Trafford. A star player for Ajax during their run to the Champions League semi-final, van de Beek was tipped for the top but has failed to impress in his Red Devils career so far.

Signing a five-year contract worth £120,000 per week, van de Beek immediately found game time hard to come by at Old Trafford, starting just four matches in the Premier League during his maiden campaign with United. While he may have made a total of 36 appearances across all competitions in 2020/21, 21 of those came from the bench, as van de Beek quickly fell out of favour under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

Such fortunes carried over into the 2021/22 season, with van de Beek failing to start any matches in the Premier League for United, before being loaned out to struggling Everton during the January transfer window. It had looked as if van de Beek had turned a corner at Goodison Park, after starting five of his first six games, but a thigh problem would cut his run of good form at Everton short.

Managing to make just one further appearance for the Toffees – a 53-minute cameo against Arsenal on the final day – there had been optimism around van de Beek’s return to Old Trafford, following the appointment of ex-Ajax chief, Erik ten Hag.

Tipped to thrive under his former manager at United, it hasn’t gone to plan for van de Beek under ten Hag so far, with the midfielder once again frozen out of the squad. Handed a starting berth just twice under ten Hag in the league, there are suggestions van de Beek’s United woes could be in part down to the Dutch international’s mentality.

What’s Bates said about van de Beek and United?

Speaking to GMS, journalist Bates expressed concerns surrounding van de Beek’s physicality, indicating it may not be up to the level needed to succeed at Old Trafford.

He said: “He’s failed to really stamp his authority on games when he has been given an opportunity. He’s not the kind of impact player that you would have hoped he would have been.”

“Listen, we all know his technical ability is very good but I do think he’s proved himself too lightweight in the Premier League and he doesn’t play with any conviction.”

How many miles separate Liverpool and Manchester?

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What next for van de Beek at United?

In line with his luckless time at United, van de Beek was forced off injured during United’s recent victory over Bournemouth – just the second league start he’d had all season. Leaving the Old Trafford pitch in tears, it’s uncertain where van de Beek’s future lies.

There had been suggestions that van de Beek could be shown the exit door, with 90min reporting in October that United were willing to let the midfielder leave. While Premier League interest is present, the report states, a move abroad appeared more likely, with former club Ajax and rivals PSV Eindhoven eyeing up a move.

This latest fitness concern may throw any potential move into doubt, yet it does appear van de Beek’s Old Trafford days are numbered.

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