DONNY VAN DE BEEK’S face said it all when he was hooked off against West Ham in the FA Cup.
The Dutchman was handed a rare opportunity to impress in Manchester United’s extra-time fifth-round win over the Hammers.
Donny van de Beek didn't want his time to come
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— ESPN FC (@ESPNFC) February 9, 2021
Van de Beek, 23, was making just his 11th start of the season in all competitions following his £35million move from Ajax.
But he struggled to have an impact on the contest and was handed 73 minutes before Bruno Fernandes was stripped and ready to come on.
And just before the board went up, Van de Beek knew his time was up as he glanced over towards the touchline.
He looked resigned to being substituted knowing a golden opportunity to showcase his skills passed him by.
When the inevitable came, the playmaker looked bitterly disappointed to be replaced.
Former Tottenham midfielder Jermaine Jenas said on BBC Sport: “That look on his face there I’ve just seen sums up unfortunately the way he’s playing at the moment with a bit of fear and a lack of rhythm.
“I honestly don’t think it’s his fault. He’s out there being professional, doing everything he possibly can.
“But when you don’t have that run of games in your system or belief that you can go out there and afford to make mistakes you don’t show the full version of who you are, and that creative streak which got him to the football club in the first place.”
Boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was eager to jump to his player’s defence and claimed the sub was to spark more urgency on the pitch.
He said: “I thought in the first half, we and Donny played really well.
“We created spaces and he was part of that. He did his job neat and tidy, had a half chance.
“In the second half, the whole team fell off a little bit and we just wanted to make a few changes.”
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