Robin van Persie has an advisory warning for his fellow countryman, Donny Van de Beek who is all set to join the Red Devils this summer after a £40 million deal was agreed between Ajax and United earlier this week.
The Dutch international, a classic box-to-box midfielder, will be competing for a first-team spot against the likes of Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Paul Pogba.
“Donny van de Beek is 23 years old and that is a nice age to make a transfer to the Premier League,” van Persie told De Telegraaf.
“I was a bit younger when I went to Arsenal, and in the locker room, I was considered a player for the future. Winning the UEFA Cup with Feyenoord meant nothing. The Premier League is a completely different world.
“Donny will be brought in as a major purchase from Manchester United, but he will discover that those other 22 players have also been brought in as a ‘major purchase’. One had an even bigger transfer than the other.
“It means that he has to stand there right away and he has to mentally adjust to that. Because Manchester United is in every way a beast of a club.”
Van Persie considers the 23-year-old to be capable of getting the job done and sees tremendous potential in him. The former United striker has backed van de Beek to succeed in his Premier League journey.
“Physically I don’t foresee any problems for Donny. His walking actions are his biggest weapon,” van Persie continued.
“He is also able to play sixty games a year. Easy games just aren’t there anymore. Especially against Fulham or Crystal Palace, you have to play the most. At every duel, even at every throw, those opponents pound on you.
“He has the advantage that he has gained a lot of experience in the last two seasons in Europe. The year in which Ajax reached the semi-finals of the Champions League was his big breakthrough.”
The Flying Dutchman had a few words to say on the commercial responsibilities of a Manchester United player –
“The size of Manchester United also has an impact on the commercial activities expected of Donny in the future.
“In my first year at United that number was zero, in my last year I had to show up every week.
“When I was with Marcus Rashford recently, I asked him how often he has to do something commercial now. He couldn’t remember the last afternoon off after a workout. That is a bit different than taking a siesta after a training.”
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