Ajax coach comments on Van de Beek's struggles at United

Ajax youth coach Bryan Roy is the latest to comment on an underwhelming campaign for Donny Van de Beek since his move to Manchester United.

Former Ajax youth coach Bryan Roy claims that Donny van de Beek’s struggles at Manchester United were pretty predictable.

Following his £35m move last summer, the Netherlands international has struggled for game-time and has seen just 311 minutes of Premier League football.

Van Dijk has played 371 minutes in the prem this season.
Alex Telles has played 511
Van De Beek just 311

We are in gameweek 30
Van Dijk's season ended in game week 5
— Mark Goldbridge (@markgoldbridge) March 28, 2021

Competition for spots has been tough for the Dutchman. Van de Beek has found himself behind the likes of Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Bruno Fernandes and Fred in the pecking order, with his future a source of constant speculation.

The 23-year-old was an unused sub in the national team’s defeat to Turkey last week and his place at Euro 2020 is now in doubt.

But Roy believes that this season shouldn’t be one defined by disappointment and instead one seen as an apprenticeship in his young career.

“It was predictable, Manchester United is full of great players in his role. Either he plays, or Pogba plays, in fact Solskjaer thinks so too.”

“Let’s not talk about disappointment or failure, there can be a year of apprenticeship for a young man like Donny” he told Tutto Juve.

Juventus has been touted as a potential destination and while Roy thinks that could be a good move, he has pleaded for patience from the midfielder.

He added: “Of course, I would see him well at Juve. He can play in any major European club, but he’ll just have to have a little patience. The right time will come.”