I Feel For Van De Beek At MUFC – Ferdinand

Manchester United legend, Rio Ferdinand has come out to defend Donny van de Beek amid his current form. He recently revealed that the Dutch midfielder should be playing a more prominent role at Old Trafford.

According to him, he doesn’t see the sense in buying the ex Ajax player if the club wasn’t going to play him regularly to prove his worth and price.

He added that he feels for the Holland international because no footballer gets the opportunity to impress with just very few minutes on the pitch.

His words, “I feel for him. I don’t care who you are – if you’re playing the odd two minutes here and there, three minutes here and there, you cannot perform. I don’t care what level of player you are.”

“I don’t think he’s been helped in terms of team selection and opportunities so I don’t think it’s fair to say he’s underperforming because he’s not been put in a position to perform yet on a consistent basis.”

“I really do feel for him but it would be interesting to hear what he was sold and told on the way in because the lack of opportunities, I don’t think he’d have come here if he’d known that.”

“I watched him a hell of a lot in the Champions League in the year they had a good run to the semi-finals, Ajax.”

“He was so impressive in the way he arrived in the box, the way he could play deeper as well and keep the ball, keep the game ticking.”

“I think he would add value to this team, definitely. He’s someone who would create goals, he played a part in the goal (versus Leicester). When he gets in the box, he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.”

“But to get in the box he’s got to play in the position where Bruno Fernandes is playing and he’s not going to do that. Can he do it from No.8 position or No.6 when he’s holding? I think he can. He’s intelligent enough.”

“Ajax players are brought up to be intelligent footballers, they are able to play multiple positions, he can do that. It’s just obviously United want a stiffer central midfield area behind Bruno.”

“I get that, given that’s got to be protecting the centre-backs and that’s not going to be one of Van de Beek’s strengths. But then it begs the question: why buy him then?”