In the 2018-2019 season, Donny van de Beek scored 17 goals for Ajax despite playing in midfield. Most memorable was the goal against Tottenham in the Champions League.
The 25-year-old midfielder is also an important factor in helping the Netherlands reach the Nations League final. On that journey, Van de Beek tried his hand at top teams such as England and Portugal. In the summer of 2020, the Dutch player moved to Manchester United with a contract worth 45 million Euros.
However, no one expected that moving to Old Trafford would be a step back in the midfielder's career born in 1997. Even the opportunity to join the Netherlands in the 2022 World Cup is gradually coming to an end. Coach Louis van Gaal did not give any reasons for Van de Beek's absence.
More than a year ago, Val Gaal warned Van de Beek to refresh himself if he wanted to have a chance to join the national team. However, until now, he is still deeply immersed in the darkness at "The Theater of Dreams". With his recent injury, the 25-year-old's chance to travel to Qatar is almost zero.
Most Man United fans see Van de Beek as a failed contract. There was hope that the appearance of Erik ten Hag would revive Van de Beek. However, drama under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick continued....
The 25-year-old has only played 19 minutes this season. Last week, Ten Hag said Van de Beek needs to impress in training before thinking about playing opportunities, just enough to see how gloomy the midfielder born in 1997 is going to be in the future.
Van de Beek is used to waiting, but how long to wait? After joining Man United, Van de Beek spent nearly 2 months starting under Solskjaer. And he has to wait another five months to start in a Premier League game.
Solskjaer's treatment of Van de Beek raised doubts. More notably, in 2019, the Dutch midfielder entered the Top 30 Golden Ball. The question is, does the Norwegian strategist really need Van de Beek?
In fact, at that time, M.U was under pressure when the transfer market was close. And Van de Beek appears as a "fire-fighting" option. There was a time when many teammates at Man United felt uncomfortable when Van de Beek was constantly on the bench.
Ten Hag and Van de Beek have worked together very successfully at Ajax. Therefore, his belief in the resurrection is well-founded. The Dutch coach has also publicly expressed his desire to work with his former student at Man United. However, things did not go that smoothly.
"All players are the same, Van de Beek has to prove himself. He has to take responsibility for his performance. Van de Beek has the potential, I saw that, but he has to show it," Ten Hag said during the tour of Thailand.
Ten Hag affirmed that Van de Beek's opportunity will come when Man United have to play in many arenas. However, he needs to understand that he has to leave to save his career.
At the age of 25, Van de Beek still has enough time to prove his ability. Of course, missing the 2022 World Cup is a great regret, but the road ahead is no longer about vague promises...
