Forgotten Man Utd star steps up transfer exit plan in secret friendly

16 November 2023 , 22:55

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Forgotten Man Utd star steps up transfer exit plan in secret friendly

Donny van de Beek was part of a Manchester United XI that played in a behind-closed-doors friendly against Championship outfit Hull City on Tuesday.

The Dutch midfielder, 26, is out of favour at Old Trafford and has played just two minutes in the Premier League this season. Van de Beek featured alongside Antony and Hannibal Mejbri in the match against the Tigers, which ended in a 1-1 draw, according to The Manchester Evening News.

While Van de Beek seemingly has no part in Erik ten Hag 's plans, the former Ajax maestro was out of favour long before the Dutchman arrived in Manchester. Since joining the club in 2020, Van de Beek has made just six league starts after failing to impress the likes of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick.

After a transfer failed to materialise during the summer, it seems highly unlikely that United would stand in Van de Beek's way if an opportunity to move on were to present itself in January.

Ten Hag made it clear that Van de Beek's time at the club was up back in September when he omitted the midfielder from his 25-man Champions League squad shortly after the transfer window shut - even though he was a key player for the United chief at Ajax.

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There were plenty of people who believed that Ten Hag's arrival at Old Trafford last summer could spark somewhat of a career resurgence for Van de Beek. But if anything, his stock at United has fallen even further during Ten Hag's premiership.

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Donny van de Beek has hardly featured for Manchester United this season (Joe Prior/Visionhaus)

In fairness, Ten Hag made it clear that he wouldn't be doing his former favourite any favours at his new club when he gave a fairly blunt assessment of Van de Beek's stint in the Premier League.

"I’ve seen him better in the past," Ten Hag said back in November 2022. "But I think positioning-wise, he’s acting quite well. But he has to make that step up. I don’t think a loan (makes) sense. It’s either he fights... and proves himself, in this atmosphere in this environment, or he goes."

The emergence of Hannibal and academy graduate Kobbie Mainoo this term has nudged Van de Beek even further down the pecking order, as well as the summer capture of Mason Mount.

There was reportedly interest in Van de Beek's services from Turkish Super Lig clubs in the summer, but it remains to be seen where the midfielder could end up if he does finally move on in the New Year.

Dan Marsh