Van de Beek urged to rescue career by making surprise transfer from Man Utd

10 July 2023 , 21:52

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Van de Beek urged to rescue career by making surprise transfer from Man Utd

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has been told to consider a move to Celtic by club legend Neil Lennon.

The Northern Irishman played for and managed the Scottish giants and believes they would be the ideal place for the Dutchman to resurrect his career. Van de Beek was highly-rated as he came through at Ajax and established himself as a leading light in Amsterdam.

United spent £40m to bring him to Old Trafford in 2020 but, despite a goal on his debut, the versatile forward was continuously shunned and remains on the outside of the first-team, making just two starts in the Premier League last term. And despite working with Erik ten Hag at Ajax, he's been linked with a move away as United look to raise summer funds.

Lennon reckons a move north of the border could allow the 26-year-old to get his career back on track but isn't sure whether Celtic would be able to finance the move.

He told the Go Radio Football Show when quizzed on a move to Celtic: "Possibly - his career has sort of stalled a bit. He was outstanding for Ajax the season they got to the semi-finals of the Champions League in that really good young Ajax team. He went to United and it didn't work out and he went on loan to Everton and that didn't work out either. So he needs a kickstart and maybe Celtic is that place for him.

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"He's certainly shown he's got the pedigree and you never lose it, you just sometimes lose your confidence or your hunger and lose your way a little bit. Players of that calibre just need a restart and maybe he's thinking Celtic might be that place to go but I mean, there's a lot of work to be done in a deal involving that.

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"He'll be on huge money, let's not beat around the bush here. Realistically, if you're talking about [Scott] McTominay, [Kieran] Tierney or Van de Beek, it'll probably be a loan and Celtic making a contribution towards the wages."

The Dutchman has never been able to nail down a position whilst in Manchester. As a playmaker he would be behind the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and new signing Mason Mount in the pecking order. At Ajax he also played as a No 9, but United are currently searching for a prolific forward.

Ten Hag has previously stated: "It’s either he fights and proves himself in this environment or he goes, but for me, there is still a way for him. But it’s not going to be easy for him because the competition there is really strong."

Samuel Meade