Manchester United didn’t receive an offer for Donny van de Beek from Premier League rivals Everton in the transfer window, manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has told RTL7, via Voetbal Zone.
Now, that doesn’t mean reports linking Everton with a summer swoop for the seldom-seen Netherlands international were wide of the mark.
We know for a fact – thanks to Everton director Marcel Brands and Van de Beek’s agent – that the former Ajax playmaker was on the radar of the Goodison Park club.
And Solskjaer doesn’t say the Toffees never showed an interest. It’s just they never came forward with a formal bid for a player who was once again left on the bench for last night’s topsy-turvy 3-2 Champions League victory over Atalanta at Old Trafford.
Does Everton target Donny van de Beek have a future at Man United?
“We never received an offer from Everton. To me, he is a Manchester United player,” says Solskjaer, who was once again indebted to a late winner from Cristiano Ronaldo as the Red Devils came from 2-0 down to defeat their Serie A opponents.
“Donny is still working hard. I understand Donny, he is frustrated and disappointed (about his lack of game time). But he continues to work every day with a big smile.
“I know he isn’t happy but he works hard and is a true professional. He knows sometimes it works this way in football.”
Van de Beek has played just three times all season, including a grand total of six minutes in the Premier League.
And, with Bruno Fernandes, Paul Pogba, Scott McTominay, Fred and arguably Nemanja Matic ahead of him in the pecking order, things could get worse before they get better – if they get better at all.
“If you see our team today, we have a lot of good players. But he continues to train well and I hope he gets his chances,” adds Solskjaer.
It’s understood Rafa Benitez wasn’t convinced by the prospect of taking Van de Beek to Everton, with reports claiming a move to Newcastle United may now be on the cards.
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