Signed from AFC Ajax for £25 million 12 months ago, it is safe to say Donny van de Beek’s debut season at Manchester United has not set the world alight.

In amidst a rollercoaster season with the Coronavirus pandemic taking place, van de Beek has struggled to feature at length for the Red Devils.

While on the surface it looks like a commendable season with 36 appearances in all competitions, but when looking behind the curtain, a large proportion of those have been made up of 15-minute cameo performances.

There is no doubt about it that the Dutch international is a special talent with a lot to give, but similarly to Fred who joined from Shakhtar Donetsk in the Ukraine, it can take a full season to understand the ins-and-outs of how the club runs and to get up to speed.

As of now, Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes are irreplaceable with their performances this season, both of whom have been a big part of why Manchester United are in the Europa League final.

Pogba can play out on the left-hand side which allows the Dutchmen to join the midfield but van de Beek’s primary position as a number 10 is being occupied by Fernandes, who is Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s most valuable and influential player.

The Norwegian manager has also opted for a sturdy midfield duo of Scott McTominay and Fred this season, with many fans opposing this partnership. There is a valued reasoning behind Solskjaer’s decision making in the bigger matches where Man United are under pressure, but when the Red Devils are dominating possession, van de Beek’s technical touch should be utilised.

For Ajax, in the Champions League, van de Beek sprung to life and put his name on the map throughout their impressive run which got them to the semi-finals in 2019. With 17 goals and 13 assists in all competitions for the Dutchman, it is clear to see why the Red Devils shelled out the money to get him and bring him to Old Trafford.

Solskjaer’s job is now finding a place for him in the team. It is evident that he is not going to play wide with Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and potentially Jadon Sancho occupying the wings on a regular basis, and so it must be in midfield.

At one point or another the manager is going to have to trust him in a midfield two, which is why it is being heavily reported that Manchester United are eyeing up West Ham United’s Declan Rice, who would be available for around £80 million.

Manchester United have an ace up their sleeve in Jesse Lingard, who the Hammers desperately want to keep, but it is still not going to be an easy negotiation with the club.

But until Manchester United sign an out-and-out defensive midfielder, Solskjaer’s reluctant to play van de Beek will continue. With England international Rice added into the team, however, the former Ajax star should have the license to be able to show his worth on a regular basis.