Donny van de Beek.

Solskjaer: Do not worry about Donny

Tuesday 27 October 2020 14:13

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer appreciates Donny van de Beek's game-time is a current hot topic in the media but has urged for some understanding about the Netherlands international's integration to life in England.

Scott McTominay also spoke glowingly about his fellow midfielder as the Reds prepare to welcome RB Leipzig to Old Trafford in the Champions League on Wednesday.

Although the former Ajax man has had an impact already, scoring on his debut against Crystal Palace, he is being eased gently into the side following his summer transfer. There are certainly no concerns about his ability to make a big impression at the club.

"Well, you know, when players come into a new league to a new team, there is always going to be a time of that [adaptation]," said Ole at his press conference. "Donny, when he’s played, has played really well.

“It says a lot about our depth of quality in the squad that we don’t have to use him in every single game because we have other players as well. Also, I think it says everything about our ambitions as we want to push to challenge for trophies this season. You know, Donny is going to play a big, big part this year.

“At the moment, I realise the topic is Donny van de Beek. It’s nice for some players or commentators to have a little go and I know that they’re short on time when they’re on telly and have to put their points across very quickly. You have to know you don’t have to start the first three games to be a very important player in the squad.

“I’d be disappointed if some of my team-mates thought I wasn’t important at Manchester United because I didn’t start many games. Donny is very, very important for us. Don’t worry about that.”

During a separate interview with MUTV's Stewart Gardner, the boss reiterated: "No, I don’t have to speak to him about what’s said or written, I speak to every player quite regularly. It’s a good thing for us that people see the depth we have in the squad and okay, if Donny doesn’t play one game, then there’s a good player that doesn’t play, but there are also other players there that want to play.

“Donny is adapting and is getting more and more used to us as a team and the way we want to play, and of course the Premier League is a different scenario to the Eredivisie and we’ll see a lot of him, don’t worry about that."

McTominay believes van de Beek's attitude is helping him settle into the squad and says his approach to training is first class.

"He’ll be massive [for us]," the Scotland international told MUTV. "Donny is still a young boy who’s made a transition at this stage in his career and has come to the biggest club in the world. You have to give people time, it’s not just about him having to come in and play eight matches and start every single one.

“You have to slowly build your way in and the way he is in training is amazing. He comes in with a smile on his face and he’s ready to train every single day. He’ll be huge for us." 

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