Ronald de Boer, the twin brother of Netherlands coach Frank de Boer, has offered some intriguing comments on Donny van de Beek that offers both positivities and worries for Manchester United and their fans.
De Boer, whose brother steered the national team after Ronald Koeman left for a hotly anticipated chance to manage Barcelona, is certain that we will see the ‘Real Donny van de Beek soon’.
As reported by the Manchester Evening News, he said that his debut season with the Red Devils was not ‘what he had as a top priority.’
He said: “I hear in training, he does well, so there is still the confidence there but of course you want to play regularly. You can’t play every game, but what he did this year was not what he had in mind. I’m confident in the boy, I know him a little bit, I trained him in his youth, he’s a great character, he’s a cool boy, he knows what he wants. Even in the European Championship, you might see the real Donny van de Beek. I always use the example with Pellegrino in Barcelona, my ex-teammate. He didn’t play well in our team and everyone thought he was a terrible defender and then he goes to Valencia and plays two Champions League finals. Sometimes it doesn’t fit your jacket, but sometimes somewhere else it does fit. I think he needs to find out himself and make the right choice but I’m confident we’re going to see the real Donny van de Beek soon.”
Manchester United signed Van de Beek the previous summer after the midfielder left Ajax, leaving behind an underlying expense of £35m and a further £5m in potential add ons.
In spite of the manager’s words that he will get a regular chance to play, Van de Beek was restricted to only 15 starts from 36 appearances for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s side, seeing most of his activity in cup contests.
While De Boer has energized Manchester United and their fans with his trust in Van de Beek potentially showing his ‘Real’ capacity during the Euros, the Dutchman likewise showed some concern.
The similarity of Mauricio Pellegrino and the ‘right decision’ remarks that followed it recommends that De Boer is plotting for a transfer for Van de Beek to another club, where the player may fit.
Solskjaer’s side needed more creativity in midfield and also some much-needed energy. It was still surprising to see Van De Beek on the bench. He needs genuine game time for himself.
