Daley Blind's Reality Check for United's Forgotten star

Daley Blind from his time with Manchester United // PA Sport

Daley Blind, the Girona defender and former Manchester United player, has sounded an alarm for his countryman and erstwhile Ajax colleague, Donny van de Beek, currently with Manchester United.

In an interview with The Athletic, Blind emphasized Van de Beek's natural fit as a no.10 and cautioned about the swift-paced world of top-tier football, particularly at a club like Manchester United.

In his three seasons with the Red Devils, Van de Beek's record stands at a meager two goals and two assists from 61 appearances across all competitions. This has led to questions regarding his fittingness in the Premier League's demanding milieu, especially since he's mostly been relegated to the fringes of the main squad.

"Donny is a real No.10 and there are not a lot of teams who play with a No.10 in top football. I think he can adapt to new positions if he gets time. He has the quality to be a top player at Manchester United, but United doesn’t wait for anyone" Blind pointed out in the interview.

Donny Van de Beek has struggled at Old Trafford

In Bruno’s shadow

While Van de Beek was initially seen as a dynamic box-to-box midfielder upon his 2020 transfer following impressive stints with Ajax, his journey in the Premier League has been anything but smooth. The commanding presence of Bruno Fernandes, who consistently delivers from the No.10 position, has overshadowed Van de Beek, restricting his game time mainly to Cup matches.

His tenure at Manchester United also witnessed flirtations from clubs like Real Sociedad and Galatasaray over the summer, but no formal move was completed. Following a recovery from a significant knee injury, it's anticipated that the January transfer window could present fresh opportunities for the Dutchman.

The £35 million investment that Manchester United made for him in 2020 was deemed astute back then. Yet, with the current course of events, a future sale might not fetch the Red Devils more than £10-15m.