Man Utd may have weapon no one is talking about after Erik ten Hag transfer fail
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A couple of months ago, the prospect of Donny van de Beek staying put at Manchester United this season seemed impossible. But United’s struggles offloading fringe players have continued over the summer, and Erik ten Hag looks set to keep a midfield option he wouldn’t have expected.
The Red Devils tried and failed to shift Harry Maguire and Scott McTominay, and both have started the season in limited roles.
It’s been even more severe for Van de Beek, who hasn’t featured in any of United’s four matchday squads this term.
Ten Hag has selected inexperienced pair Hannibal and Dan Gore over Van de Beek among his substitutes, while United have tried to orchestrate a move.
But the only transfer windows still open are in Turkey – which closes on Friday – and Qatar – slamming shut on Monday.
It leaves Van de Beek likely to stay at Old Trafford until at least January, having made just 28 starts since his £39million arrival over three years ago.
His only opportunities will arrive in domestic competition after Ten Hag excluded him from United’s 25-man Champions League squad.
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The Dutchman has, however, included him in Premier League contention. And Turkish interest hasn’t flourished into anything of substance, making Van de Beek available for selection.
The prospect of Van de Beek becoming a genuine option hasn’t been considered amid mass speculation surrounding his departure.
But if the 26-year-old finally gets it right in M16, he could be thrust upwards in Ten Hag’s thinking, having shone under the United boss at Ajax.
Andre Onana’s arrival has helped take a significant step towards realising the same playstyle, and it may give Van de Beek an opening to take to the pitch and look more convincing than his fellow back-up competition.
Ten Hag was expected to spark life into his disastrous Old Trafford career, having struck up a relationship in the Netherlands.
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But he has handed Van de Beek just 10 appearances since the start of last season, and he may now sit as low as ninth in the midfield pecking order.
You could argue that Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen, Scott McTominay, Casemiro, Kobbie Mainoo, Hannibal and summer additions Mason Mount and Sofyan Amrabat will currently be preferred.
Fixtures are coming thick and fast, though, and chances may arise for Van de Beek. He has already proven previously in his career that he can thrive in Ten Hag’s system.
It would be some resurrection, like a phoenix from the ashes, and he could yet depart in the coming days.
That said, the stars may align for the talented player United splashed the cash to sign in 2020 to finally make a surprise impact in English football.
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