Donny van de Beek was reportedly on Manchester United’s radar since the Louis van Gaal days.
The Mirror told in 2015 that United dispatched scouts to watch him in action for Ajax on the Dutch boss’ recommendation.
But current Red Devils boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been very aware of him too for several seasons.
It was in December 2015 that Van de Beek scored his first ever goal for Ajax.
Notably this came in a Europa League match for Ajax against Molde, managed by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
A memorable goal
United fans take to players who put their bodies on the line for the cause, and Van de Beek is one of them.
It was a goal which left it’s mark on Van de Beek (see picture above).
The Dutchman’s goal for Ajax against Molde left him injured after he headed in a free-kick to give his side an early lead in a 1-1 draw.
Van de Beek was just 18-years-old, and this was the first of 41 goals he would go on to score for Ajax.
It was a tough night for the Dutch side, with the group stage draw meaning Ajax missed out on qualification to knockout phases, with Solskjaer’s Molde finishing above them.
Five years later
It is unlikely Solskjaer forgot the young Dutch midfielder who gave his side a scare.
Five years on, Solskjaer is preparing to manage Van de Beek at Manchester United.
It is an impressive journey and with Van de Beek signing a five-year contract at Old Trafford, the best is yet to come.
- Senne Lammens value skyrockets 150 per cent since Man Utd move, one of the most valuable in the world
- Gordon Strachan shares honest verdict on Tyler Fletcher being called up to Scotland’s World Cup squad
- Man Utd transfer latest: Mateus Fernandes, Elliot Anderson, William Gomes, Bazoumana Toure
- Manchester United confirmed signings, transfers in, out, loan exits, releases for 2026/27
- Glazer family members consider Manchester United stake sale, claim Bloomberg
- Forget Fernando Torres, Nemanja Vidic now names three ‘more difficult’ opponents he faced at Man Utd
- Andy Cole reacts as Michael Carrick set to make his first signing for Man Utd
- Michael Carrick is showing what Man Utd ‘stands for’ with one commitment to role, says Timothy Fosu-Mensah
- Man Utd academy star James Scanlon scores brace in 4-0 Gibraltar win
Receive a digest of our best United content each week direct to your mailbox
