Solskjaer ‘would rather not have’ Van de Beek – Redknapp

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer would rather have £40m to spend on a centre-half than Donny van de Beek, according to Jamie Redknapp.

The Dutch midfielder was bought this summer for £40m but he cannot find a place in a Manchester United team that already has Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba.

He has not yet started a Premier League game, though he did play 68 minutes in the Champions League this week.


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“He [Van de Beek] is a talent, we’ve seen that when he’s played for Ajax and Holland,” Redknapp told Sky Sports’ Pitch to Post podcast.

“But Ole Gunnar Solskjaer sees him day in, day out. If a player is good enough, he plays.

“Solskjaer obviously doesn’t think he’s right for the team yet. Perhaps he isn’t fit enough or isn’t showing enough in training.

“You saw when Fabinho first came to Liverpool, Jurgen Klopp didn’t play him. But it wasn’t a big deal or a big focus at the time because they were doing so well and they had other players.

“Liverpool had that luxury but Manchester United don’t. If he was at Liverpool, it wouldn’t be a big deal but because it’s United and they’re struggling, everyone wants to see him.

“But the problem is, where do you play him? It’s a very difficult one for Solskjaer and he probably would rather have not had him, if he’s totally honest, and would rather have that £40m on another centre back and bolster the area where they definitely do have problems.”