Solsjkaer adamant Van de Beek has ‘big part’ to play at Man Utd

Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer is confident Donny van de Beek will play a “big, big part this year” despite a restricted role since his preseason arrival at Old Trafford. The 23yearold midfielder, who joined from Dutch giants Ajax for an initial 39 million euro (£34.1 million) fee, has started more matches for the Netherlands than United since his transfer, making just five appearances off the bench as well as two starts in the League Cup. But Solsjkaer, himself a former United striker, said Tuesday that Van de Beek would become more involved as the season went on. “When players come into a new league, a new team, it’s always going to be a time of (transition),” Solskjaer said Tuesday during his prematch press conference ahead of a Champions League group game at home to Germany’s RB Leipzig. “When Donny has played, he’s played really well.” United have failed to win any of their opening three home Premier League matches this season but a 41 victory at Newcastle followed by an impressive 21 away win against Paris SaintGermain in a European opener eased the pressure on Norwegian boss Solskjaer. A goalless draw against Chelsea last weekend meant United, now in a lowly 15th place in English football’s top flight, had still to win a home league match this season. Solskjaer reckoned talk about Van de Beek’s relative lack of game time was just another chance for pundits to criticise United. “At the moment, I realise the topic is Donny van de Beek and it’s nice for some players or commentators to have a little go,” he said. “I know that you (the media)’re short for time when you’re on telly (television) and you have to put your points across very quickly, but you have to know that you don’t have to start the first three games to be a very important player in the squad.”