One Manchester United player was on the winning side today, as Donny van de Beek completed 90 minutes for Everton.
By half-time, added onto his half an hour in midweek, Van de Beek had already accumulated more Premier League minutes in an Everton shirt than for Manchester United this season.
The Dutchman played as part of a midfield two as Everton beat Leeds, a role where Manchester United refused to entertain playing him.
Everton won the game 3-0, with Van de Beek helping his side to a welcome clean sheet.
Manager Frank Lampard told his post-match press conference: “I thought Donny van de Beek was great. To play like that at home – his calmness, work rate and intelligence was great.
“I brought him here because of his talents, his intelligence & work ethic but he matched the other players and is calm on the ball.”
A chance to develop
Manchester United’s refusal to give Van de Beek chances has been quite ludicrous. He played just 69 minutes of league football this season.
Out on loan, United can assess him from afar, and the midfielder can return to try and impress a new manager next season.
Van de Beek completed 34 of 38 pass attempts (89 per cent) and created one goalscoring opportunity.
He made 10 ball recoveries and won four ground duels and three aerial duels, being dispossessed only twice.
The 24-year-old’s performance was an eye-opener, and it comes at a time where United’s own options are a little thin, with Nemanja Matic missing Saturday’s draw with Southampton due to a new shin injury.
To not have Van de Beek as an option, is simply a fault all of United’s own making.
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