There is no peace for Solskjaer as long as Van de Beek shines …



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“I have answered this question so many times,” said Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, exasperated by another investigation into Donny van de Beek’s prospects at Manchester United. Unfortunately for Solskjaer, the question will not go away.

Van de Beek made sure of that with another impressive performance at the base of United’s midfield in his 1-0 victory over Watford. The £ 40 million summer contract hasn’t had many chances. many will say not enough – but Van de Beek has never harmed his cause in the few opportunities he has been given to shine.

Van de Beek’s problem is the quality and robustness of Bruno Fernandes. The new guy will only play the 10th role as a backup, which would be a waste for everyone involved.

His role against the Hornets offered him a path to where he could find more minutes on this side of United. Van de Beek played alongside Scott McTominay in United’s engine room and, in theory, it’s an ideal partnership.

McTominay brings the industry, while Van de Beek delivers the finesse. Against Watford, or another lower-ranking Premier League rival, Solskjaer doesn’t need the reassurance of two containment midfielders. While questions remain about the heart of United’s defense, the manager’s caution is understandable, especially when none of McTominay, Fred or Nemanja Matic possess the mobility to act as a single filter. But against teams more content to sit back and put down United, the Red Devils need a player like Van de Beek who can initiate attacks before the burden inevitably falls on Fernandes.

Solskjaer has tried desperately to convince Paul Pogba that he can be that deep playmaker, but £ 89m midfielder seems to insist on a more advanced role with fewer defensive responsibilities. Van de Beek, however, is much more willing and capable.

Having been educated at Ajax, the 23-year-old is much more comfortable with the ball than the other three United starters, and is very cautious in its use. Against massive ranks of defenders, his eye for a penetrating pass and his talent for playing in the corners gives United a dimension they currently do not possess.

For Van de Beek to really thrive in that deeper position, especially on the bigger occasions, United need to look for a top-class defensive midfielder. But that remains the case regardless of van de Beek’s plan.

Certainly, Van de Beek was not the only United player looking to seize a unique opportunity. But the others struggled to make an equally positive impression.

Solskjaer started with three players who are said to be between six that I would voluntarily lose this month. Daniel James and Jesse Lingard made up half of a substitute strike force and neither of them raised their claims for more action. For Lingard, it was probably an opportunity to say goodbye to his childhood club. It would be a surprise for James to leave this month without a replacement, but with Facundo Pellistri and Amad Diallo behind him, the Welsh winger may run out of opportunities for the summer.

James, Lingard and Juan Mata faced Mason Greenwood and his form must be of concern to Solskjaer.

Greenwood would hardly be the first prodigious talent to suffer an episode of season two syndrome, and no one doubts that the 19-year-old will play an important role in United’s future. But his productivity has plummeted this season, and amid persistent reports of concerns about his current mindset and application, even if Solskjaer has denied there is a problem, Greenwood just doesn’t seem like he’s having fun right now.

Solskjaer’s habit of hooking Greenwood continued tonight at Old Trafford. He was removed along with James when the manager sent for the big guns. Greenwood, however, surely would have benefited from playing alongside Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial, even if it meant moving from center to right. It would have been better to dedicate the minutes to the teenager than to Mata or Lingard.

Brandon Williams is another struggling to prevail in his second season in the first team and it seems likely that he will leave this month on loan. Williams will certainly return, but he also needs the playing time that he won’t get without an injury crisis in the defensive areas.

For Van de Beek, however, the outlook looks more rosy. He has shown Solskjaer that he deserves the coach’s trust and a more prominent role in his first team, United.

Ian Watson



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