Manchester United midfield outcast Donny Van de Beek has been described as “one of the most disappointing transfers ever” by former Red Devils star Dimitar Berbatov.
Van de Beek arrived from Ajax amid a lot of fanfare ahead of the 2020-21 season, but the Dutch international continued to be overlooked by United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The 24-year-old remained on the bench in United’s first two Premier League games of the 2021-22 season, having only played four games as a starter in the league last season.
Van de Beek’s agent Guido Albers said the Dutchman was given “clarity” about his future at United by Solskjaer, who insisted the former Ajax star is an “important” side. of his plans.
Berbatov – who won two Premier League titles among other honors during his time at United – believes Van de Beek should leave Old Trafford if he’s unhappy.
“The transfer window closes on Tuesday and although United have done well to bring in some good players, I still think there may be some action coming with the exits,” Berbatov wrote in his Betfair column. “I don’t think we’ll see more time to play at Donny van de Beek.
“It is a very strange, disappointing and surprising situation. They spent around £ 35m on him and paying him for a player who doesn’t start many games makes no sense. I’m not blaming the player at all, but for me it’s one of the most disappointing transfers ever. “
United have won three and lost one of the four games that Van de Beek started in the league last season with a 75% win rate.
That drops to 52.9 per cent in the other 34 games the Red Devils have started without the Dutchman, while the average number of goals scored has dropped from 2.3 with Van de Beek to 1.9 without.
Van de Beek led the way for United in the Premier League in 2020-21 in terms of tackles won for 90 minutes (1.75), meanwhile, and Paul Pogba (2.09) was the only midfielder to play more than once to complete more dribbles for 90 minutes than Van de Beek’s 1.4.
“It has many qualities,” Berbatov added. “I don’t like it when clubs buy to buy and this is one of those situations. I’m sure he’s knocking 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 on the bench. Van Gaal is a disciplinarian who likes his players to play football.
“Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes are untouchable in United midfield right now. 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 manager didn’t want me and we had problems. It is frustrating for a player. He needs to reflect for a long time on his situation and on what he wants “.