Manchester United legend Jaap Stam believes Donny Van de Beek may be better off leaving the Premier League giants amid talks with Spanish outfit Real Sociedad.
If this was to be the Dutch international’s final appearance for the Red Devils, it was a rather fitting one. And we don’t mean that as a positive.
Donny Van de Beek, to quote the Manchester Evening News, ‘underwhelmed so much’ during Sunday’s 1-1 draw with Athletic Bilbao in Ireland that he was hauled off at the break; producing a more-than passable audition for a titular role in ‘The Invisible Man’ sequel.
Donny Van de Beek set for Man United exit
Van de Beek had impressed initially during pre-season; scoring a stunner against Lyon and setting up both Manchester United goals against Borussia Dortmund.
But this was more like the ‘VDB’ Man United fans have gotten used to during three highly disappointing years in England. Anonymous on the ball, and largely ineffective off it.
And fellow Dutchman Stam, speaking to Voetbal Nieuws, is not the only one who believes the time is right for Van de Beek to move on. Ten Hag will not stand in the way of his £35 million misfit as Real Sociedad hold talks over a potential move to La Liga in the final month of the window (BBC).
“In the end, it is about him playing football week-in, week-out,” says Stam, who played nearly 130 games for Manchester United either side of the Millenium.
“Is he going to do that under Ten Hag at the moment? I don’t think so. That didn’t happen when he was fit!
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“That’s a shame, because Donny is a good football player. However, the coach makes choices, and you have to dare to choose for yourself as a player.
“(Donny should think) ‘maybe I should make the move somewhere else so that I can play’.”
Van de Beek out, Sofyan Amrabat in
The slower, more technical Spanish game could potentially suit Van de Beek down to the ground.
The departure of him, as well as Fred and/or Scott McTominay, will also free up funds for Ten Hag to bring in Sofyan Amrabat as his replacement.