It was billed as the summer when Donny van de Beek would finally find his feet at Manchester United, but so far, it has been about as successful as the summer of George in Seinfeld. There were lofty hopes and dreams for the United midfielder under the guidance of former Ajax mentor Erik ten Hag, though there has little on show in pre-season to justify the hype.
Van de Beek remains a popular figure at United, but all of the excitement surrounding him spawns from what he might be capable of doing, rather than what he is doing.
The 25-year-old was a key part of the Ajax side that achieved huge success under Ten Hag back in 2019, but since then his stock has gradually dwindled and he now enters a season that will be make-or-break for him at Old Trafford.
