Van de Beek opens up on struggles to break into ‘amazing’ Man Utd team
Donny van de Beek has hinted that he wants to start more matches for Manchester United because “this is why you’re playing football”.
Van de Beek was United’s most expensive signing of the summer, arriving from Ajax in a deal reportedly worth up to £40m.
However, it has been a tricky first few weeks at Old Trafford for the Dutchman. He may have scored on his debut, but Van de Beek has played a bit-part role overall.
Several pundits have suggested that the 23-year-old made the wrong move by joining United this summer, given his lack of gametime.
Finding it hard to dislodge fellow attack-minded midfielders Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba from the starting lineup, Van de Beek has had to come on from the bench for all four of his Premier League appearances so far.
However, he did return to the starting lineup for United’s 5-0 win over RB Leipzig in the Champions League. It has given him renewed confidence ahead of their clash with Arsenal in the Premier League.
“It was amazing,” Van de Beek told United’s official website of the game against Leipzig. “Champions League… these nights are always special.
“5-0, I mean, it’s an incredible win. We are really happy, and now we focus again already on Arsenal.
“In the dressing room? Everybody was in a happy phase. It’s normal if you win [against] a difficult opponent. Leipzig showed last year that they are really strong and have a good team.
“But I think we showed also that we are also really strong and we have an amazing team and we just need to keep going now.
“Players always want to play games. Training is also nice, but the games… this is why you’re playing football.
“I think a lot of games [means] we can improve always and I am sure that we will win more if we stay in the focus.”
Van de Beek urges focus
United face a busy schedule over the next week, with games against Arsenal, Istanbul Basaksehir and Everton before the next international break.
Van de Beek knows his teammates must maintain their focus to rise to the challenge – starting with Sunday’s clash against the Gunners.
He said: “Arsenal have showed that they have really good players, and I mean we need to be focused. We won [against Leipzig] and everybody’s happy and it’s good for the confidence and everything, but now we must go on to that game.
“A lot of big games are coming up now. A lot of games. We need to stay in the focus and then I’m sure that we make more nice wins.”
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Van de Beek also singled out one teammate for special praise – dubbing Marcus Rashford “amazing” after his hat-trick against Leipzig.
“He’s an amazing player,” Van de Beek said of the English forward. “I see already from day one [and] the moment that I arrived here his quality, and he’s also a really good guy.
“He’s always working hard and [is] really talented. I like him also a person, and I’m really happy for him.
“He’s already a big player and will show a lot more of his quality – I’m sure about that.”
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