DONNY VAN DE BEEK admits he found it “difficult” to contend with his lack of first-team chances during his Manchester United debut season.
However, the ex-Ajax star reckons positive talks with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has given him hope for his Red Devils future.
The Netherlands midfielder, 24, was speaking to Rio Ferdinand in a candid, in-depth interview aired on the Old Trafford icon’s FIVE Podcast.
The talented Dutchman arrived with a lot of hype to United in September 2020 after his £39million from the Amsterdam giants.
But he made just four Premier League starts in a frustrating first season in Manchester and was strongly linked with a move away this summer/
Now Van de Beek admits to finding the limited game time mentally tough.
He told Ferdinand on FIVE: “The start was good. I did well but after it was difficult.
“If you are not in the team and are waiting for your chance it is not easy especially on your confidence.
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“It is normal you need time to adapt, but of course I am not happy I want to play – that is clear.
“It is so hard mentally. All I can do is train hard every day and improve and just wait for my chance.
“If there is a moment I have to be ready. If you are not playing you still have to help. I can sit there and be angry but that is not the key.
“You have to do everything and help where you can.
“You are angry, every player gets that but if you are like that and don’t train hard anymore you give a reason for the manager to play without you.
“I just want to play it does not matter where.”
Van de Beek, who missed Euros 2020 after sustaining an injury on the eve of the tournament, has been left out of Louis van Gaal’s squad for Holland’s World Cup qualifiers this month after failing to play any minutes so far this season.
The playmaker was linked with a move to Everton during the transfer, with reports in the Netherlands suggesting United rejected a deadline day approach.
And the midfielder insists his boss Solskjaer is “positive” about his role in the team.
On speculation of a move from Old Trafford Van de Beek added: “I agree I have to play more.
“If you play once a month you cannot show your best so it is really important.”
“I spoke to the club about it but the manager and the club told me they want to keep me here.
“The manager was positive about me and said ‘I need you’ because what I see every day is a different Donny now’.
“He has seen a big difference in me with a year’s experience in England.
“I feel well and if I am in good shape I can show the people. I need to trust him because if he didn’t need me he would have let me go.
Cristiano Ronaldo’s sensational £21million return to Unite, however, suggests Van de Beek had better get used to the idea of spending more time on the bench.
Even his agent Guido Albers admitted the deal was “bad news” fo rhis chances.
In an interview with Dutch broadcaster Ziggo Sport Albers said: “Cristiano arrived which we knew was bad news for us.
“(Paul) Pogba plays on the left, and with Cristiano’s arrival, it means another extra player in midfield with Pogba moving away from the left.”
However, Van de Beek has warmly welcomed the return of the player who won three Premier League titles and one Champions League during his first spell at the club,
And he believes the presence of the Portugal skipper could help boost the performance level of United’s squad.
The Netherlands ace added: “To be with these players is fantastic.
“We need winners and I am really positive about us this season. I think we can make big steps this season.
“The levels go up and you see that. If good players join the levels go up. One good player can make a difference.”
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