Manchester United’s failed attempt to sign Weston McKennie before Leeds loan
It would be fair to say things have not worked out for Donny van de Beek at Manchester United.
Luckily for the club, Erik ten Hag’s arrival has brought an improved transfer strategy and we are seeing less bad buys like Van de Beek, who arrived at Old Trafford from Ajax as a highly-rated midfielder in 2020.
It was thought that, with Ten Hag’s appointment last summer, Van de Beek would be given a fresh chapter, under a manager who knew how to use him best. We can all remember how Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was harshly criticised for not getting the best out of the Netherlands international.
Over halfway into the season, I don’t think anyone could make an argument for Van de Beek. Solskjaer nor Ten Hag to blame.
Van de Beek’s disappointing spell in Manchester doesn’t come down to poor performances alone. We can’t ignore the fact he’s has been misfortunate with injuries.
United sent the 25-year-old to Everton on loan for the second half of last season in a bid to get his career back on track. He ended up in a middle of a relegation battle and missed a lot of football through injury.
This season, Van de Beek has managed just 10 appearances for United (4 of those being starts) and he has been ruled out with injured for the remainder of the season.
It’s difficult to see how Van de Beek has a long-term future under Ten Hag at this rate, but we would all only love to see him prove us wrong…
Manchester United’s failed attempt to include Van de Beek in swap deal
A report from Italian newspaper Gazzetta dello Sport claims United made an attempt get get Van de Beek off their books in 2021, shortly after Ralf Rangnick’s arrival.
They suggest United chiefs were pushing Juventus over a loan deal involving USA international Weston McKennie. The Italian giants weren’t interested in a swap deal and wanted €50m for McKennie.
McKennie struggled at Juventus and is currently playing for Leeds on loan for the rest of the season.
It sounds like Rangnick got at least one thing right during his time at United, but I suspect Ten Hag will follow suit in the summer when he has more time to analyse his team in the transfer market.
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