For Donny van de Beek, the most worrying aspect of his omission from the Netherlands World Cup squad is not the fact that he was left out, but that it came as no surprise.
The Manchester United midfielder was previously a mainstay in the Oranje squad, even if not always as a starter. But he has not played for his country since a 2-2 friendly draw with Scotland last June. His last international goal came in a 7-0 thrashing of Gibraltar in World Cup qualifying 20 months ago.
Feels good to be back and to play in front of the Stretford End again ♥️💪🏼 pic.twitter.com/KYugF8nruj
— Donny van de Beek (@Donny_beek6) October 27, 2022
Van de Beek's exile from the national team has stemmed from his poor form in English football. He has only started nine Premier League games for United since he was signed in August 2020 for an initial £34.7 million ($46 million).
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, in charge when Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford, never seemed sure where best to use him in his 4-2-3-1; interim boss Ralf Rangnick didn't fancy him, and a short loan to Everton was beset by injury and the Toffees' own struggles against relegation.
It was hoped that the arrival of Erik ten Hag – the man under whom Van de Beek became a star at Ajax and was nearly signed by Real Madrid – might breathe life into the 25-year-old's career. After 216 minutes of football in three months, an anonymous performance at Old Trafford on Thursday against Aston Villa and this latest snub by Netherlands boss Louis van Gaal, even the most die-hard Donny defenders are starting to think a January transfer might be best for all concerned.
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Is Donny van de Beek leaving Man United?
Van de Beek made three brief substitute appearances in the first three Premier League games of 2022/23, but injury then kept him out of action as Ten Hag's plans began to take shape. Finally fully fit again, he has started United's past three games in three different competitions: a 1-0 win at Real Sociedad in the UEFA Europa League, a 3-1 league defeat at Aston Villa, and the 4-2 Carabao Cup victory over the same opponents at Old Trafford on November 10. He was deployed as a No.10 in each game.
Rather than show United what they had been missing, Van de Beek has given an impression of a player desperate not to make a mistake — and therefore one keen to spend as little time with the ball as possible. In 57 minutes against Sheriff Tiraspol and 65 against Sociedad, he touched the ball just 30 times in total. In the first half of the Carabao Cup comeback against Villa, that touch count dropped to 11, which was fewer than debutant goalkeeper Martin Dubravka, who didn't face a shot on target until Ollie Watkins opened the scoring 48 minutes in.
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Van de Beek's performances highlight the central problem to his United career – regardless of manager and system, he just doesn't quite seem to fit. He lacks the attacking output of Bruno Fernandes, the passing range of Christian Eriksen, or the authoritative presence of Casemiro. He even offers less of an impact than the oft-maligned (unfairly, sometimes) midfield duo of Fred and Scott McTominay. One suggestion is that he lacks the the speed and strength for the English game, rendering his technical qualities useless.
Ten Hag, at least, hasn't admitted to being unhappy with Van de Beek's recent efforts. Indeed, he suggested too much is expected of the player in the No.10 position given the way in which teams set up to contain United.
Speaking after the cup thriller against Villa, he said: "When I watch back the performance at Sociedad and Villa, he's there in the positions where I expect. Nowadays, it's difficult for No.10s to show themselves. We have romantic ideas of a 10, playing the passes, but he has to play in the middle of the park and it's difficult there. All good teams close the middle of the park.
Here it is. Our World Cup squad! 🦁🇳🇱#NothingLikeOranje | #FIFAWorldCup pic.twitter.com/s4KMWBvJQU
— OnsOranje (@OnsOranje) November 11, 2022
"What he's doing well is his positioning, his movements, his togetherness with strikers. He's really good with anticipation. He did it to my satisfaction in the last games."
However, on Van de Beek he did add: "But he's not on the scoring list, assist list, that's clear. I've seen him better in the past, definitely."
United have four competitive games left before the January transfer window: against Fulham, Nottingham Forest and Wolves in the league, and at home to Burnley in the Carabao Cup fourth round. If Van de Beek is unable to prove he has a future at Old Trafford in those coming matches, then a move in early 2023 could be best for all concerned. This time, it will not be a temporary one.
"I think a loan doesn't make sense," Ten Hag said. "Either, he fights and proves himself in this environment, or he goes. For me, there is still a way for him, a perspective for him, but it's not going to be easy because the competition there is really strong."
Will Man United sign players in January?
There is another reason for United to offload Van de Beek in the next transfer window: they may well need money for any extra signings.
A net investment of more than £190m ($222m) was way beyond United's provisional budget for the summer window. Any significant recruitment in January will depend on players being sold, and while United will struggle to recoup the fee they paid for Van de Beek two years ago, he does represent one of their more viable selling options.
Ten Hag has suggested he could look to strengthen United's forward line, where injury and illness has caused disruptions to his plans. Marcus Rashford, who got into England's World Cup squad thanks to his strong recent form, has missed four games with muscle problems this term. Anthony Martial has only started three games all season, Jadon Sancho has missed the past five matches, and Antony has been out for four. Then there's Cristiano Ronaldo, who is determined to leave the club.
"In the front line, the availability of the players, there is concern for us," said Ten Hag. "There are so many games where we have to construct an offensive line, and if we can't do that, it's really difficult to get into the top four.
"[Martial] definitely plays very well in a lot of aspects. I'm very happy with that — except his availability. We have more options there [as a No. 9] but, quite clear, in my way of playing, I like the type Anthony Martial is. He can hold the ball, he's a target, can link up, but he can also run behind, he can finish, he's a good presser.
"We have progressed. But the front line, there is a concern. We really made progress in football: pressing, playing out from the back, but the final third, we have to improve. But you need numbers available, you need rotation, otherwise you don't keep the players fresh. We need high-level players in the front line. First, we look in our squad, and we are happy, we talked a lot about [Alejandro] Garnacho, but can he stay in this development? Then, he can contribute. We need that. We need the numbers."
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Van de Beek, along with the rest of his clubmates not selected for the World Cup, will spend part of the coming month in a training camp in southern Spain, where United will face Cadiz and Real Betis in friendly matches. A month of intense work with Ten Hag on the training pitches in Carrington and Andalucia might be the tonic he needs to get his United career on track. If not, a January transfer beckons.
Van de Beek's future with the national team could depend on his winter at club level, be that at United or elsewhere in 2023.
