Romano says £35m man ‘very likely’ to leave Manchester United in January

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Fabrizio Romano believes Manchester United and Premier League misfit Donny Van de Beek is ‘expected’ to leave in January with a sale ‘very likely’.

That, however, is easier said than done.  Talks between Manchester United and Real Sociedad broke down over the summer due to issues over finance, while Donny van de Beek never appeared particularly keen on moves to Lorient, Genoa or Turkey.  

A reported £120,000-a-week contract is not making the Dutch international any easier to shift either (Spotrac).

But, with the European Championships fast approaching and with Van de Beek without a place in the Netherlands set-up for two years , the former Ajax may feel that January is the right time for a fresh start after once again failing to force his way into United’s plans. 

Van de Beek could leave Manchester United at last

“A January departure is expected and very likely for Donny van de Beek after he almost left in the summer,” Romano tells Caught Offside.

“It’s too early to mention specific clubs. But he was really close to Real Sociedad in August, then nothing happened.”

It seems unlikely Sociedad will return, the La Liga outfit bringing in another attacking midfielder in the shape of Arsen Zakharyan instead.

Van de Beek has played only 21 minutes of football under his former Ajax boss Erik ten Hag this season. Only two of those have come in the Premier League.

“It’s sad to see him struggle at Manchester United,” Romano adds. “As he looked like such a fine prospect at Ajax. But I think he’s been really unlucky with injuries, and also didn’t receive the confidence he needed in some crucial moments under (former United boss) Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.”

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Daley Blind, the one-time Man United defender and a former team-mate of Van de Beek, is still hoping for an Old Trafford revival for the 26-year-old. But, speaking to The Athletic, Blind also accepts that the ship may have already sailed.

“Donny’s a real ‘number ten’,” the Girona veteran explains. “And there are not a lot of teams who play with a number ten in top football. I think he can adapt to new positions if he gets time.

“He has the quality to be a top player at United. But United doesn’t wait for anyone.”