Man United’s forgotten man linked with Premier League move

Manchester United produced a much needed win on Sunday as goals from Antony and Cristiano Ronaldo were enough to see off Frank Lampard’s Everton. 

The hosts had gone ahead at Goodison Park through Alex Iwobi’s superb strike, but it was The Red Devils who travelled back to Manchester with all three points after Ronaldo’s 700th club career goal proved to be the winner.

The tricky fixtures continue to come in the Premier League for United though, as they now face Newcastle United, Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea in their next three games.

Erik ten Hag appears to be finally getting a tune out of his squad, who have now won five of their last six league games.

The arrival of Antony has undoubtedly played a huge part in their recent success, with the Brazilian having scored in each of his three league games so far.

Antony worked under Ten Hag at former club Ajax and he is now once again thriving under the Dutchman, although the same can’t be said about Donny van de Beek.

The midfielder also played a pivotal role for Ten Hag’s side, particularly when they reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, but he has endured a tough time since moving to Old Trafford in 2020.

Many expected Ten Hag’s arrival to benefit Van de Beek, but that is yet to happen.

Van de Beek has only played 19 minutes of first team football so far this season

Van de Beek, 25, has still only made 53 appearances for The Red Devils in more than two years at the club, and he is now being linked with a move away.

According to Ekrem Konur, Leicester City are interested in the midfielder and are hoping to land the player for as little as £13 million.

The Netherlands international started just four Premier League matches during his first season in Manchester, and his playing time has barely increased since.

The midfielder failed to start a single league game during the first half of last season and was then loaned to Everton in January this year, but he failed to make much of an impact on Merseyside either.

During his short stint with Everton, Van de Beek made just seven appearances, although he was hampered by a thigh injury.

This term, the player has amassed just 19 minutes of league football, although he has missed the last few games due to a knock.

Now, struggling Leicester are looking to offer the player a route out of his nightmare spell at Old Trafford.

The Foxes are currently bottom of the Premier League table having won just once all season, and manager Brendan Rodgers is said to be under increasing pressure to turn things around.

They themselves are having to fend off interest in midfielder James Maddison, but Van de Beek could be both a realistic and affordable replacement if the one-time England international does depart in January.

The Dutchman scored 41 goals and provided 34 assists in 175 games for the Eredivisie club, compared to just two of each in his 53 United appearances so far.

His tallies in the Netherlands prove his attacking abilities, though, and it seems that Leicester are willing to take a punt on the player.