Donny van de Beek might have hoped his Manchester United fortunes would change when Ralf Rangnick replaced Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But a report by the Athletic has claimed that the German is approaching the same conclusion as his predecessor over the midfielder.
Since Rangnick came in, van de Beek’s only start has come in 1-1 draw against Young Boys, when United made 11 changes.
Aside from that, he has had just six Premier League minutes, as a late substitute against Crystal Palace and Norwich.
Van de Beek has played no part in United’s last five matches and the report claims that the Dutchman has struggled to impress Rangnick in training.
His technique is impressive but the issue is that he struggles to cover the ground.
United’s performances are not reflecting it currently but Rangnick wants his sides to run hard and press all over the pitch.
Rangnick clearly has concerns over van de Beek’s ability to do that, but does that justify his decision?
Rangnick has started Nemanja Matic in midfield for United’s last two games. The Serbian is of course more physically imposing than van de Beek, but at 33, he cannot cover the ground anywhere near as well as he could in his prime.
Van de Beek is surely more energetic and mobile than Matic, but Rangnick has still found space for the former Chelsea man in his plans.
Van de Beek also played his part in an Ajax side who pressed high and got within a whisker of the Champions League final. English football is a different kettle of fish but is he really that far off the pace?
Also, Rangnick has already spoken publicly about the need for Mason Greenwood to improve physically but he still keeps selecting him in the side.
Perhaps van de Beek can do some fitness work set out by Rangnick and his coaches to force his way back into the frame, but a January loan is – at the very least – just as likely right now from the looks of it.
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