In Focus: Donny hoping Ralf will end Theatre of Dreams nightmare

Donny van de Beek’s Manchester United saga is set to continue — at least for now.

Ralf Rangnick has confirmed that the midfielder will not be leaving Old Trafford this month, indicating that he could well be in the interim boss’ plans for the rest of the season.

But will the Dutchman become a Red Devils regular or will he continue to be something of a forgotten figure?

We cast an eye over the situation as United prepare to take on Brentford tonight.

No promises

Rangnick touched on Van de Beek’s future in his press conference ahead of United’s 2-2 draw at Aston Villa on Saturday.

He said: "I’m glad to have him [Van de Beek] in the squad. He came on in the last 15-20 minutes against Villa [in United’s 1-0 FA Cup win last Monday] and he did well.

"I told him I would advise him to stay until the end of the season. 

"He wants to play in the World Cup for his country — and [Netherlands head coach] Louis van Gaal obviously told him that in order to be a regular starter for the World Cup, he needs to play regularly.

"I can understand his desire to play, [but] on the other hand, we have a lot of competition in our squad in exactly those positions."

Wasted talent

Van de Beek’s last five league appearances have all seen him introduced from the bench in the 86th minute or later.

He came on in the 89th minute at Villa Park on Saturday and had four touches of the ball — one of which was a blocked shot in the final seconds of stoppage time.

The 19-cap international did start three of United’s Champions League group games but his only full 90 minutes came in a 1-1 draw with Young Boys — an encounter which had nothing riding on it as United were already through as group winners.

Van de Beek is barely being given a chance to make an impact in the most meaningful fixtures.

An expensive benchwarmer

United paid £35.7million to sign Van de Beek from Ajax in August 2020 and he was their most expensive signing of that transfer window.

But the 24-year-old has gone on to make just 19 starts and 31 substitute appearances in all competitions, only racking up 1836 minutes in a Red Devils shirt.

Remarkably, Van de Beek has cost United the best part of £2million per start, representing remarkably poor value for the 20-time English champions.

Rangnick to the rescue?

Now that Van de Beek is staying put, the big question is whether Rangnick will give him the increased game time that he is clearly craving.

The German tactician has experimented with his line-up but seems to have settled on Scott McTominay and Fred as his first-choice midfield base.

Van de Beek will clearly not dislodge Bruno Fernandes and with the other attacking midfield spot looking like Jadon Sancho’s to lose, there is no obvious immediate opening in the starting XI.

Perhaps his best hope will be for United to go deep in the Champions League and FA Cup, as well as continuing to fight for a top-four finish in the league.

The squad rotation that would come with such a congested fixture list could be key to the Dutchman getting more frequent chances to impress.

Van de-parture?

Despite Rangnick’s apparent keenness to keep Van de Beek at the club for the time being, it still feels as though this is all only heading in one direction — a summer exit.

With the World Cup coming up in November, Van de Beek is bound to grow increasingly disillusioned with his situation unless his fortunes at Old Trafford change dramatically.

And despite the midfielder's contract running until June 2025, it would not be a surprise to see United call it a day and decide to cut their losses — sooner rather than later.