Former Tottenham Hotspur star Rafael van der Vaart believes Donny van de Beek should leave Manchester United as he does not fit into the club’s style of play.
The Dutchman has endured a tough 18 months with the Red Devils, where he has hardly played in the Premier League.
His fortunes could change with the dismissal of manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, but Van der Vaart feels the 24-year-old should still pursue a new challenge.
The ex-Netherlands international believes his compatriot would be better off in Germany or returning to Ajax, and he made the wrong choice joining United.
He told Ziggo Sport: “Donny should leave? Yes. But I think Donny is a good player. Just not for Manchester United.
“I think he would be much better off going to Germany because that’s where he comes into his own. Or just go back to Ajax. That fits him like a glove and that really helps Ajax.
“Abroad, you need someone like (Bruno) Fernandes. He is always playable and his balls often arrive. If Donny doesn’t score and doesn’t get into the sixteen, then in my opinion those kinds of players are of very little use.
“I just think he made a very wrong choice in terms of club because this just doesn’t fit his way of playing football.”
Our view:
Van de Beek joined the Red Devils under much fanfare last year, but he has yet to make a strong impression.
He recently scored off the bench in the 4-1 league defeat at Watford that proved to be Solskjaer’s final game in charge.
That performance saw him rewarded with a starting role against Villarreal on Tuesday, but he was far from impressive.
Fernandes, who was dropped for him in the number 10 role, came off the bench to turn the tide of the game.
Van de Beek may now face another extended spell off the bench, and he could be better off moving on.
He has already lost his place with the national team and could miss out on the World Cup next winter.
He needs to be playing regularly at a high level to redeem himself, and it won’t be a surprise if he leaves soon.
Stats from Transfermarkt.com.
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