Ex Manchester United defender thinks a Dutch midfielder is skilled enough to play a bigger part in the team’s preparations at Old Trafford.
Rio Ferdinand has defended Donny van de Beek, believing that a Dutch midfielder should have a bigger part at Old Trafford, but he also wonders why a contract was made in the first place.
During the summer transfer window of 2020, a highly-rated Dutch international moved from Ajax to a Premier League heavyweight for £40 million ($55 million).
This season, he has made 27 appearances in all competitions, but just two of those appearances have been in the Premier League, and he has only contributed one goal to the team’s cause.
WHAT’S BEEN SAID SO FAR?
In the wake of reports that Van de Beek is being depressed and might want to end his time in England after just a year, united legend Ferdinand told VIBE with FIVE: “I feel for him.” I don’t care who you are; if you’re just playing two to three minutes every now and then, you’re not doing. It makes no difference to me what type of player you are.
“I don’t believe he’s been supported in terms of squad selection or opportunities, but it’s not realistic to suggest he’s underperforming because he hasn’t been placed in a position to succeed consistently yet.
“I STILL FEEL FOR HIM, SO IT’D BE FUN TO HEAR WHAT HE WAS OFFERED AND TOLD ON THE WAY IN BECAUSE OF THE LACK OF OPPORTUNITY, I DON’T THINK HE’D COME HERE IF HE’D LEARNED THAT.”
“I watched him a lot in the Champions League the year they had a decent run to the semi-finals, Ajax,”
Ferdinand said. He was so impressive with the way he arrived in the box, the way he could play deeper and hold the ball, keep the game ticking.
“I think he would certainly add value to this side. He is someone who can set targets, and he contributed to the achievement of those goals (versus Leicester). He knows how to bring the ball in the back of the net while he’s in the box.
I believe he will. He’s a smart enough.
“Ajax players are raised to be intelligent footballers who can play various positions, and he can do that. It’s clear that United want a more solid central midfield area behind Bruno.
“I get why, but that has to be defending the center-backs, which isn’t going to be one of Van de Beek’s strengths. But that begs the question, why buy him in the first place?”
THE OVERALL
As he fails to make an appearance at United, Van de Beek has been accused of appearing “lost.”
Since he first arrived at Old Trafford, he signed a five-year extension, although it’s unclear if he’ll be able to keep it.
Many have urged him to move on as soon as possible, citing the need for a highly-rated playmaker to get consistent playing time in order to reach his undoubted potential.
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has been urging restraint, claiming that Van de Beek is still in his long-term plans, but those on the outside will only wait so long before their focus shifts elsewhere.
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