Man Utd source reveals club concerned summer signing does not fit into Solskjaer plan
Manchester United officials feel that Donny van de Beek is unable to play in a pair at the base of the team’s midfield, according to a report.
The Dutchman has made 14 appearances since joining from Ajax in July but has largely struggled for consistent action.
Indeed, his seven outings in the Premier League have amounted to only 175 minutes. What’s more, he has only made one start in the top flight – which was also the only occasion on which he has also played a full game.
The 23-year-old has fared better in the Champions League, racking up 232 minutes in five games. Van de Beek also started two of those matches but, again, has only lasted 90 minutes on one occasion.
United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has publicly defended the midfielder on several occasions. According to United journalist Andy Mitten, however, there are concerns behind the scenes.
Solskjaer‘s favourite formation is 4-2-3-1, with the holding pair of midfielders changing often this season. Indeed, Van de Beek, Paul Pogba, Nemanja Matic, Fred and Scott McTominay have all played there.
Mitten, though, claims (via GQ Magazine) that the club feel that Van de Beek ‘isn’t the man’ to play in the base pair.
Solskjaer’s favoured duos are McTominay and Fred and Matic and Pogba, with both pairs starting in three Premier League games each.
What’s more, the manager has also opted to play with three midfielders on two occasions, playing Pogba, Fred and Matic against Arsenal before Van De Beek lined up for his first start with Fred and Matic away at Southampton.
What’s more, Mitten also claimed to further explain Solskjaer’s selection decisions for other players.
Fred, Matic, McTominay selections explained
Chief among them is Wednesday night’s decision to keep Fred on the pitch against Paris Saint-Germain at half time.
The Brazilian should have received a red card for a headbutt on Leandro Paredes in the first half. But after only receiving yellow, he stayed on and ended up receiving a second booking later on.
Solskjaer said after the match that Fred’s performance had merited him staying on – providing he acted sensibly.
Mitten, though, has said that Fred’s ability to cover ground – more so than Matic – stopped Solskjaer from bringing him off.
The journalist also claimed that United feel that McTominay ‘does a better job’ at shielding the back four than Matic.
United have further crucial matches on the horizon. After the defeat to PSG, the Red Devils now need a point away to RB Leipzig to qualify for the last 16 of the Champions League.
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