Solskjaer Convinces Midfielder To Stay At Manchester United: 'Need You, Want To Keep You'

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer convinced Donny Van de Beek to not join Everton, saying that he needed the midfielder and wanted him to stay at Manchester United, the Dutchman revealed Monday.

Van de Beek, who joined Manchester United from Ajax in the summer of 2020, was approached by Everton in the last hours of the recently concluded transfer window. It was earlier reported that while Everton were progressing in the right direction for securing Van de Beek on loan, Solskjaer intervened at the last minute to block the move.

"I spoke with the manager about it (the interest from Everton) and the club. They were clear they wanted me to stay here. The manager was really positive about me and he said: 'I need you and I want to keep you here'. Of course, what I see here now in the beginning of the season is difficult, because I didn't play one minute, but he said; 'What I see every day in training, I see a different Donny now'," Van de Beek told Rio Ferdinand's "FIVE" podcast.

The 24-year-old, who is yet to make an appearance for Manchester United in the ongoing campaign, is keen to prove his worth in the United colors.

"He was really positive about me and I'm feeling well. I'm in good shape so I hope that I can show the people that I improved a lot. He sees a big difference, that I'm a little bit stronger now. He can see that I now have one year of experience here in England. If he sees me now [compared to] the beginning, he sees a big difference," added Van de Beek in the same interview.

In the 2021-22 campaign, which was his first season at Old Trafford, Van de Beek made only 36 appearances for the Red Devils. He just made four starts in the whole Premier League campaign, where Manchester United finished second, 12 points behind winners Manchester City. He was either used as a substitute or received starts mostly only in Cup competitions.

It is understood that Van de Beek is competing with Manchester United stars Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes and it won't be an easy task to displace either of the midfielders in Solskjaer's team. With the arrival of Cristiano Ronaldo, Van de Beek could fall further down in Solskjaer's pecking order.

Opening up on his first year at Old Trafford, Van de Beek said, "It's difficult if you're not really in the team, you're waiting for your chance. That's not easy if you're not playing. Also not for the confidence. It's normal you need a bit of time to adapt but of course, you are not happy. I want to play, that is clear. I train really hard every day, I try to improve and just wait for your chance, that's the only thing I can do. If the moment is there, I have to be ready, it's as simple as that. Be close with the players, be part of the team. If you're not playing, try to help them and be positive. You can't sit there and be angry."

Manchester United will next take on Newcastle in the Premier League on Saturday. Solskjaer's side has secured two wins and a draw from their opening three games of the 2021-22 Premier League.