Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek issued a timely reminder of what he is good at in the club’s second friendly.
If you asked any Manchester United supporter before the game against Lyon, they would have told you that Donny van de Beek‘s career at the club is over.
Yesterday he scored the winner as United beat Lyon 1-0, netting a coolly taken volley four minutes after coming on.
And while this may not have changed the trajectory of Van de Beek’s future, perhaps it gives him a slight chance.
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Donny van de Beek winner
We have been here before of course. The summer of 2021 saw Van de Beek play a prominent role in pre-season, amid optimism he could make up for his torrid debut season.
It didn’t work out at all, with the midfielder returning to the sidelines once the season began, and even this game, he began on the bench.
Van de Beek was making his return from injury and enjoyed this one for what it was, a chance to play football again. Baby steps.
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His goal was a reminder of what he is good at, finding space in the penalty area and scoring chances. He’s not done this enough at United, netting only two goals, albeit in very limited game time.
Bruno Fernandes praise
Van de Beek’s Manchester United career struggles have not just come down to being overlooked. He has had bad injury luck too.
The most recent was a knee injury suffered in January which required an operation. Now he is back playing football again, and that’s important, irrespective of what the future holds.
Teammate Bruno Fernandes sent the Dutchman a message via Instagram Stories, commenting that he is ‘really happy’ to see him playing again and praised his ‘amazing’ goal.
