Manchester United boss backs 23-year-old Netherlands international to become an important player

Manchester United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer says that struggling midfielder Donny van de Beek, who arrived at Old Trafford in the summer transfer window, can become an important part of his squad.

The Manchester club splashed £35 million to secure the services of the Dutchman from Ajax, but he has failed to make a big impact.

The 23-year-old has been struggling to secure a regular place in the first team, making just two starts in the Premier League under the Norwegian boss.

He has also earned nine appearances for the English heavyweights in the Champions League and the Carabao Cup, but has only managed one assist.

And though he has failed to live up to expectations, the Red Devils’ manager believes that the former Ajax star can become an important player.

“Donny has played well when he’s got the chance,” Solskjaer said (as per Goal.com). “I think we are too quick sometimes to jump on that if he isn’t playing, that it is a failure.

“Victor [Lindelof] and Fred are good examples in my team that it takes a little bit of time and now they are massively important players in our squad and in our team and it will be the same with Donny.

“He has come in and is in a midfield pool of players with quality, challenging with Bruno [Fernandes], Juan [Mata], Jesse [Lingard].

“I’ve got loads of no.10s and loads of centre-midfielders with Paul [Pogba], Nemanja [Matic], Scott [McTominay], Fred.

“There are many of them and Donny has played well when he’s got the chance and that is a big thing, that you are ready.

“He is always ready, he works hard in training, [is] positive and he will make differences in many games for us this season, but he’ll grow more and more even for next year.”

United are hosting Manchester City at Old Trafford in a mouth-watering Carabao Cup semi-final on Wednesday, hoping to defeat their arch-rivals and secure a place in the final against Tottenham Hotspur.

The Red Devils are looking very good candidates for the Premier League title this season, outclassing Aston Villa in their most recent fixture to draw level with current leaders Liverpool.

Following the Manchester derby, United will lock horns with Watford in the FA Cup before travelling to Burnley in their next league match.