Daily Mirror (Northern Ireland)
DONNY IS BEEK IN FAVOUR AT UNITED
Ole gives frustrated Dutch ace a start at last and tells him his future is not just orange, it’s bright
OLE GUNNAR SOLSKJAER has assured Donny van de Beek he has a big future at Manchester United and will start tonight’s FA Cup tie.
Van de Beek, who joined United from Ajax for £40million last summer, has struggled to establish himself and has started just two Premier League games.
That prompted Ronald de Boer, brother of Holland boss Frank, to suggest Van de Beek may have to leave United this month to safeguard his position in the Dutch squad for the Euros.
But Solskjaer said he has spoken to Van de Beek to reassure him of his faith in him, and said the 23-year-old midfielder will get a chance to prove his worth tonight at Old Trafford.
Solskjaer said: “There are so many examples of players needing a little bit of time, quality players.
“We have many examples ourselves and there are other clubs with examples. Sometimes it takes time. You don’t expect people who care for him to be quiet at times, especially when they want the best for him.
“Donny is going to play tomorrow, that’s another chance for him. I’ve spoken to him and made him aware of how much we rate him. But he’ll play tomorrow and that’s another good chance for him to kick on.”
Solskjaer denied there was extra pressure on United following their Carabao Cup semi-final defeat by local rivals Manchester City in midweek.
It was the fourth competition in a row that United have exited at the semi-final stage, but Solskjaer claimed that did not create additional pressure.
“Not at all,” said the United boss. “We were all disappointed on Wednesday, but were ready to go again on Thursday ay morning.
“We’ve got to bounce nce back and there are still many many games to go before the end of the season.
“We reached the he FA Cup quarter-finals in 2019 19 and the semi-finals in 2020, so hopefully we can go one ne step further this season.
“Then again, to get t there you have to play so many games and beat so many good teams, so we have to just focus on this on
Saturday against Wattford.”
Solskjaer has con- firmed that keeper
Sergio Romero and defender Marcos
Rojo can leave this month.
The Argentinian pair have been told that their contracts, which expire at the end of this season, will not be renewed and they are both free e to find new clubs. “Both of them have contracts until the summer and they’re not going to be extended,” said Solskjaer (below). “We’re looking for them to find clubs. Marcos has been given time to go home, so he’s still in Argentina. Sergio has been back home as well to see his family, but they’re professionals and they’ll be ready if called on.”
Rojo has 61 caps for Argentina but has flopped at Old Trafford. “Marcos will have to travel and quarantine (if he rejoins the squad),” said Solskjaer.