Donny van de Beek is reportedly ready to pack his bags and leave Manchester United after just one season with lack of game time being his primary reason since his £40m move from Dutch giants Ajax.
The Red Devils’ big-money signing last summer has since failed to secure a regular place in the first-team under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer with just two Premier League starts and 11 starts in all competitions with the rest of his 15 appearances coming from the bench.
Van de Beek has been largely consigned to the bench with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer preferring his alternative midfield options like Scott McTominay, Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba and Fred, with Bruno Fernandes holding down the regular spot in front of the two central players.
According to the Daily Star, the frustrated Dutchman is looking to engage in talks with executive vice-chairman Ed Woodward before the end of the season but is desirous of leaving Old Trafford in order to to get regular game time elsewhere.
The 23-year-old midfielder is anxious that his lack of playing time could affect his chances of making the Dutch national team for the Euros this summer. He has been unavailable for the last three weeks after picking up a muscle injury at the end of February.
Although he is in contention to make the squad for United’s Europa League last 16 second leg tie with AC Milan on Thursday, there have been signs Van de Beek has become disconsolate at Old Trafford with the latest disappointment coming after the midfielder was substituted in the 73rd minute of United’s FA Cup game with West Ham, while the score was 0-0.
The Dutchman’s face dropped when he realised he was about to be withdrawn for Fernandes.
His reaction led BBC commentator and pundit Jermaine Jenas, who sympathised with his situation, to claim the midfielder was ‘playing with fear’ and without any rhythm.
‘That look on his face there I’ve just seen sums up unfortunately the way he’s playing at the moment with a bit of fear and a lack of rhythm,’ Jenas said, as Van de Beek was replaced by midfield star Fernandes.
‘I honestly don’t think it’s his fault. He’s out there being professional, doing everything he possibly can.
‘But when you don’t have that run of games in your system or belief that you can go out there and afford to make mistakes you don’t show the full version of who you are, and that creative streak which got him to the football club in the first place.’