Man Utd boss Erik ten Hag rules out Donny van de Beek transfer option

Erik ten Hag has said Donny van de Beek leaving Manchester United on loan in January is not an option for the midfielder.

The Red Devils No.34 has made seven appearances in all competitions so far this season but only four of them have come in the Premier League. He’s also started the last three but failed to impress in all of those appearances.

The midfielder, who joined United from Ajax in 2020, has struggled to make an impact since making the switch to Old Trafford. He was shipped out on loan to Everton for the second half the last season, but returned to United in the summer.

Van de Beek worked with Ten Hag at the Johan Cruyff Arena but hasn’t been able to nail down a starting spot under his former boss yet at United. Asked whether he could be heading out the exit door temporarily again this winter, his manager has said: “I don’t think the loan makes sense.

“It’s either he fights and proves himself in this environment or he goes, but for me, there is still a way for him. But it’s not going to be easy for him because the competition there is really strong.”

As Ten Hag aluded to, Van de Beek faces competition for a starting berth from the likes of of Fred, Scott McTominay, Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Bruno Fernandes. The 25-year-old’s contract expires in June 2025 and the club hold an option to extend his stay by a further year on top of that.

Meanwhile, Ten Hag believes Harry Maguire is ready for England duty at the World Cup after his inclusion in Gareth Southgate's 26-man squad for the World Cup. "I think so, he’s ready, yeah,” opined the Dutchman. “I see him every day in training, I see him in games. He came back from injury, but he’s ready to perform on the highest level.”