Manchester United’s Donny Van De Beek Can Rekindle His Old Form With His Loan To Everton FC

With Frank Lampard taking his next job in football management at Everton, it appears that the Englishman’s first signing for the Toffees will be Manchester United’s Donny van de Beek.

It has been clear for all to see the Dutchman’s struggles since arriving at Old Trafford 18 months ago. There had been so much excitement and possibility with the arrival of van de Beek, but that has been washed away through no real fault of his own.

A transfer that cost Manchester United £35 million, van de Beek has only managed 68 minutes of football this season, which spans across eight appearances. It is a sorry sight and is the main reason as to why a loan elsewhere was absolutely needed.

Under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, van de Beek’s fortunes have seemingly remained somewhat downtrodden. For one reason or another – and there are reports about a lack of physicality that is needed for the Premier League – the midfielder cannot break into the team ahead of Scott McTominay or Fred.

In the season that AFC Ajax took Europe by storm in the Champions League a few years ago, van de Beek was absolutely essential and pivotal to that team under Erik ten Haag. Playing a whole range of midfield positions, the Holland international showcased his versatility and prowess with the ball at his feet – especially in the final third.

During that 19/20 season, van de Beek contributed to 21 goals and put his name on the map to all major competitors across Europe. Manchester United fans were delighted with his signature in the following summer but have been disappointed with his lack of game time.

Similar to what Jadon Sancho is now experiencing, it is not always easy to adapt to the Premier League in your first season. It takes time to adjust to the demands of England’s topflight with the speed and physicality at a truly elite level. 

However, coming into his second season, van de Beek was expected to kick on and cement a place in Manchester United’s starting XI. That has not happened, and it seems as if he has regressed even further away from a first team spot. 

And so, with Lampard’s impending arrival at Everton, the Dutch midfielder has the perfect opportunity on a six-month loan to go and show what he can do in the Premier League. The Toffees are not in a good place overall but van de Beek will be given game time and the platform to indicate to his parent club why he is a useful asset to have. 

Time will tell whether this loan will reignite interest in the Dutchman from around Europe with Man United fans sincerely hoping it does.