Manchester United have now used four different central midfield combinations in the opening two games, and Donny van de Beek has not had a kick.
Fred and Scott McTominay against Leeds. Against Southampton we saw Fred and Nemanja Matic begin the game.
Then it was Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic, before the game ended with Jesse Lingard and McTominay. Paul Pogba meanwhile has started both games too along with Bruno Fernandes.
Van de Beek was yet again an unused substitute against Southampton, the only senior United midfielder to not yet play this season.
And while there was merit to bringing on Lingard when chasing a goal, the fact Van de Beek has not had a touch in the opening two games shows he is further down the pecking order than anybody would like.
What’s going wrong?
United fans and Van de Beek hoped this season would be different. The Dutchman returned to pre-season earlier than Pogba, Fred and Fernandes, and was even given the captaincy late in one pre-season friendly.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer spoke positively about Van de Beek’s improved physical conditioning, one day before the season.
Van de Beek started United’s final pre-season friendly, a 4-0 win over Everton, and it looked likely he could begin the opener.
While going with Fred and McTominay was a little of a surprise, it was understandable, and the result justified it.
Changing it up was always possible against Southampton, and we had expected Van de Beek may come in, rather than Nemanja Matic.
Matic failed to justify his place, and what was most disappointing about both matches was not just that Van de Beek did not start, but that he was also not brought off the bench either.
At this stage Van de Beek will be frustrated, even if he does not outwardly show it. No footballer is happy when they are not playing.
Next up United travel to Wolves, a stadium where Van de Beek played very well in a deep role at the end of last season.
Solskjaer should consider him for this fixture, even if it means turning to yet another midfield partnership just three games into the season.
United spent £35 million on Van de Beek last summer, and amid a current reluctance to go and sign another midfielder, the club need to give the Dutchman a proper chance.
Van de Beek looked to have cracked it ahead of the season in United’s final pre-season game. Now it seems like he is back at square one. Next weekend could provide him with the chance he has been waiting for, let’s hope he can take it if he gets it.
United fans frustrated
Here is a look at some of what United fans have been saying on social media about Donny van de Beek…
- Who is David Eze? Man Utd’s new wonderkid signing who snubbed Arsenal and was poached from Man City
- Warren Zaire-Emery has already called one Man Utd player ‘great’ amid rumours he could join Michael Carrick
- There’s one £100m wonderkid Man Utd should break their strategy and spend on – and he’s not a midfielder
- Man Utd transfer decision with Marcus Rashford, breaking down pros and cons of keeping him
- When Manchester United’s 2026/27 away kit will be debuted in pre-season
- How much Manchester United will earn from Alejandro Garnacho’s transfer to Aston Villa
- Ousmane Diomande deal is a transfer lesson to Man Utd after signing Andrey Santos and Tielemans
- Why Warren Zaire-Emery is Man United’s ‘dream’ third midfield signing, top 1% passing stat proves it
- Man Utd fan groups condemn ‘premature’ season ticket bans in joint statement
- Man Utd’s history of Norwegian players ahead of Rosenborg friendly
- Youri Tielemans has explained why he’s set to replicate success of Mbeumo and Cunha at Man Utd
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