Man Utd: 'Surprising' Ten Hag has overlooked £40m star at Old Trafford | OneFootball

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag snubbing Donny van de Beek is “a bit of a surprise”, says journalist Pete O’Rourke.

The two worked with each other at Ajax, but that has done nothing for the Dutch midfielder, who has constantly been overlooked at Old Trafford this season.

How many games has Van de Beek played in the current campaign?

So far, Van de Beek has played just three matches, and none of those were starts.

The above, however, is nothing new for the 25-year-old, who has struggled to win a place in United’s first XI since the moment he joined the Red Devils.

Following his £40m move from Ajax back in 2020, Van de Beek has made just four starts in the Premier League.

Ultimately, for whatever reason, he has just not been able to win over Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the man who brought him to the club, Ralf Rangnick or Ten Hag.

What has O’Rourke said about Van de Beek and Ten Hag?

Given that they know each other from Ajax, O’Rourke is surprised Van de Beek has not been given many opportunities under Ten Hag.

On the Dutch manager snubbing the player, O’Rourke told GIVEMESPORT: “That’s come as a bit of a surprise.

“You would have thought with Ten Hag and Van de Beek knowing each other from their Ajax days, the door would maybe be open for Van de Beek to get more opportunities, but it hasn’t worked out that way at all. It’s still the same status quo for Van de Beek.”

What next for Van de beek?

Van de Beek joined Everton on loan for the second half of last season. This term, he may also have to do something similar.

It does not look like he is going to break into Ten Hag’s team, with the 52-year-old preferring the likes of Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay and Fred.

Considering that, when the transfer window is open again in January, another loan move makes a lot of sense. In fact, leaving Old Trafford permanently may actually be the better solution.

If there is no plan to integrate Van de Beek into the United team now, his third season at the club, then there is probably never going to be. So if there is a chance to leave the Manchester outfit for good, it would be logical for the former Ajax man to take it and end his nightmare.