Manchester United Star Signing 'Confident' Can Reach Pogba, Fernandes Level

Manchester United’s summer signing Donny van de Beek may have the potential to be like Paul Pogba or Bruno Fernandes, but fans have yet to see what he could really bring to the table.

The Red Devils made a sensational transfer move for Van de Beek last summer. Manchester United managed to seal the deal with AFC Ajax for after £35 million ($48 million).

However, the midfielder touted as the club’s star signing seems to deemed not fit for Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s roster.

In his debut season with Manchester United, Van de Beek was only handed eight starts, two of which came in the English Premier League. Even during the draw against Liverpool on Sunday, the 23-year-old was once again sidelined.

But according to Ajax chief executive Edwin van der Sar, despite being an outcast in Solskjaer’s squad, Van de Beek is still viewed as a phenomenal player at Old Trafford.

However, the Red Devils think it will take time before his former midfield star can reach the level of Pogba and Fernandes.

“I do talk to a lot of people at the club (Manchester United),” Van der Sar recently told Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport . “[He still has a] fantastic attitude, he does well in training.”

“It (securing a spot in the Manchester United midfield) is difficult,” he continued. “[Paul] Pogba is coming back, [Bruno] Fernandes is very important, [Nemanja] Matic and [Scott] McTominay, are also there. It’s no shame at all, it’s also a big club, isn’t it? Of course, it’s a large amount (Van de Beek’s transfer fee), but they are confident that he will get there.”

At Ajax, Van de Beek was considered as one of the best players of his generation, having scored a total of 28 goals in six seasons with the club’s first team.

This has led to ex-Manchester United midfielder Luke Chadwick questioning his former club’s decision to land such a “fantastically talented” player like Van de Beek, and not give him the minutes he deserves.

“I think we’re at the point now where it’s not really a surprise, you don’t really expect him to be in the team or even be the first substitute who comes in,” Chadwick told CaughtOffside of Van de Beek’s situation. “He does seem to be a long way down the pecking order and it’s turned into a strange transfer in general. He’s had such a limited amount of game time, he’s had good moments but not influenced games as much as he can.”

“He’s a fantastically talented player but can’t get anywhere near the team at the moment,” he added. “It is such a strange situation. I don’t think I’ve seen it before, in my career, where such a big-name player has come in for such big money and then had such little game time.”