Manchester United Treble Winner Criticizes Ineffective United Star, with Deadline Day Exit Almost Certain
Manchester United Treble Winner Criticizes Ineffective United Star, with Deadline Day Exit Almost Certain
As the summer transfer window reaches its climax, Manchester United finds itself at the center of intense speculation, not just for potential arrivals but also for expected departures. Amidst the frenzy, Manchester United treble winner and former defender Jaap Stam has publicly criticized Donny van de Beek, suggesting that the Dutch midfielder has been largely ineffective during his tenure at Old Trafford. With the transfer deadline fast approaching, a move away from the club appears increasingly likely for Van de Beek.
Jaap Stam, who was a key figure in Manchester United’s historic 1999 treble-winning squad, did not mince words when discussing Van de Beek’s struggles since his arrival from Ajax in 2020. Stam pointed out that despite being a highly-rated prospect, Van de Beek has failed to adapt to the Premier League’s intensity and has been unable to secure a regular starting position under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Erik ten Hag.
“Donny was expected to bring creativity and dynamism to United’s midfield, but he has struggled to impose himself,” Stam remarked during a recent football analysis show. “It’s disappointing because he has the talent, but he just hasn’t made the impact that was anticipated. It’s probably best for him and the club to part ways before the transfer window closes.”
With just hours remaining before the transfer window shuts, Van de Beek’s future is hanging in the balance. United recently rejected a £1 million loan offer from Turkish giants Galatasaray, but negotiations are ongoing, and a deal could still be struck after the English window closes on September 1. The Turkish transfer window remains open until September 15, providing Van de Beek with a potential escape route(
Reports also suggest that Van de Beek has garnered interest from other European clubs, with Spanish side Real Sociedad and Italian club AS Roma monitoring the situation closely. United, on the other hand, are keen to offload the midfielder to free up wages and possibly fund any last-minute acquisitions.
Van de Beek’s time at Manchester United has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. Since his £35 million move from Ajax, he has made just 53 appearances in all competitions, scoring two goals and providing two assists. The midfielder’s lack of game time has been a point of frustration, and his struggles have been compounded by injuries that further limited his opportunities.
Despite being handed several chances to impress, Van de Beek has often been overshadowed by the likes of Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen in United’s midfield. His style of play, which relies heavily on quick passing and movement, has not translated well to the physical demands of the Premier League. As a result, he has often found himself on the fringes of the squad.
United manager Erik ten Hag, who previously worked with Van de Beek at Ajax, was expected to reignite the midfielder’s career at Old Trafford. However, even under Ten Hag’s guidance, Van de Beek has failed to establish himself as a first-team regular. With United securing the services of Sofyan Amrabat on loan from Fiorentina, the competition for midfield places has only intensified(
Ten Hag, while praising Van de Beek’s professionalism, hinted that a move away could benefit the player. “Donny has always been committed and hardworking, but sometimes a fresh start is needed to reignite a player’s career. We will see what happens in the next few days,” Ten Hag stated during a pre-match press conference.
As the transfer deadline looms, the clock is ticking for Donny van de Beek. Whether he remains at Manchester United or seeks a new challenge elsewhere will be determined in the coming hours. One thing is certain: Jaap Stam’s harsh assessment has added to the mounting pressure on the Dutchman, who must now decide his future in the shadow of Old Trafford.
