Donny van de Beek has struggled since arriving at Manchester United. That, of course, does not take a rocket scientist to work out. Van de Beek has so far been relegated from a key player at Ajax to a bench warmer at United.
However, from the moment he was granted his loan move to Everton last season, it started to seem like things were looking up for the Dutch midfielder. Finally it seemed like he was being appreciated and even Ralf Rangnick, who sanctioned the loan, made a positive prediction about his future.
"In the end, it’s a question of competition," Rangnick explained in February. "Like Paul Pogba, I see him in the centre of midfield as one of the six or eight positions and we have quite a few other good players in those positions, therefore, he didn’t get much game-time.
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"But that doesn’t mean he’s not good enough for the Premier League or Manchester United. I’m pretty sure that he will get his game time at Everton and show what kind of quality he can be.
"He’s a fantastic person and in the last nine or 10 weeks when I got to know him I’m fully aware he’s a fantastic team player and I wish him all the very best." Rangnick was not to foresee the injury which would ruin Van de Beek's loan spell but his goal at Arsenal in the last game of the season showed the midfielder had what it takes to bounce back from previous disappointments.
While he nursed his injury, Van de Beek received another boost with the arrival of his old boss Erik ten Hag to Old Trafford. Finally it felt as though the 25-year-old would be given the opportunity many feel he deserves.
Now, with United having let Pogba leave on a free, Van de Beek's opportunity to prove Rangnick right has arrived. The 'competition' which had previously held him down is no more and he should now seize the opportunity with both hands.
If Ten Hag is able to secure the signing of Frenkie de Jong, the pair could easily recreate the powerful partnership they managed at Ajax. But should he not be reunited with his fellow countryman, Van de Beek is still in a very privileged position.
Unlike most of the current United squad, Van de Beek is in the rare post of already having the trust of his manager. Ten Hag is well aware of what Van de Beek can bring to the table and after a move which has been summed up by a lack of trust, the tables have turned.
United's pre-season tour is now Van de Beek's key chance to hammer home that faith. Before Ten Hag can bring in new additions to the midfield, the 25-year-old can show why he should be the first name on Ten Hag's team sheet.
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