Stay up to date with notifications from The Independent

Notifications can be managed in browser preferences.

Donny van de Beek’s ‘time will definitely come’ in Manchester United midfield, says Scott McTominay

Debate has been intense over how to fit the new Dutch arrival into the United team

Karl Matchett
Friday 30 October 2020 12:39 GMT
Comments
Donny van de Beek of Manchester United
Donny van de Beek of Manchester United

Donny van de Beek has so far made more headlines for being on the Manchester United bench than for what he has achieved on the pitch, but he will get his time to shine.

That’s the opinion of midfield team-mate Scott McTominay, who has been impressed by the former Ajax star both as a player and in terms of his personality.

The Dutch international has so far not even played an hour of game time in the Premier League, being left as an unused substitute in the most recent fixture against Chelsea, despite scoring on his debut.

But the depth United have in midfield has been held up as a reason as to why he hasn’t walked into the side, with the likes of Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes both regular starters, plus Fred, Nemanja Matic and the Scotland international himself all vying for minutes.

McTominay says that Van de Beek will get his chance in due course, with his application between games of the highest level.

“Donny van de Beek is a great lad and a brilliant football player,” he said to United Review.

"I'm sure, the way he is working in training and how hard he's working, his time will definitely come to get more minutes on the pitch.

"I spoke to him a little bit and he's a top kid. The way he applies himself every day, he is never late - always on time - and always trains to his absolute maximum.

“We have got a really, really good player and really good person there.”

Van de Beek did start the most recent Champions League game, the 5-0 win over RB Leipzig, playing at the tip of a diamond in midfield - though he was subbed off shortly after the hour mark with United just one goal up, with the incoming duo Fernandes and Marcus Rashford then putting the Bundesliga side to the sword in more emphatic fashion.

This weekend get a £10 free bet with Betfair, when you bet £10 on a Same Game Multi on the Premier League. Terms: Min £10 Same Game Multi bet on any EPL match this Fri - Sun. Free bet valid for 72 hours, awarded at bet settlement. Excludes cashed out bets. T&Cs apply.

Join our commenting forum

Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies

Comments

Thank you for registering

Please refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in