Bruno Fernandes empathises with Donny van de Beek over lack of Man Utd playing time

Manchester United star Bruno Fernandes has confessed he would be unhappy if he was in the shoes of summer signing Donny van de Beek, who has struggled to make an impact so far this season.

A £40m signing from Ajax, Van de Beek has made 22 appearances in all competitions but has started just twice in the Premier League. He has been an unused substitute in the last six league games, but was handed a rare start in Sunday's 3-2 victory over Liverpool in the FA Cup fourth round.

The Dutchman was by no means poor during the game, but he failed to match the heights of goalscorers Marcus Rashford, Mason Greenwood and Fernandes, the latter of whom admitted he has real sympathy for Van de Beek.

“We have a really good squad and we have options. If you look at the bench and the first XI today and the ones at home we have a really good squad, it will not be a problem if we change the team or someone is tired because we have really good players," Fernandes told MUTV.

“Donny did a great game, playing in the position I play watching him he moves really good, he played really well. It's important for us.

"If I was in the position of Donny, I would not be happy at all but the most important is doing what he does today, coming in and helping the team.”

However, it seems as though Van de Beek is not too upset with the situation. According to The Athletic's David Ornstein, he has held talks with manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and has been reassured about his future at the club.

Van de Beek has been left feeling as though his game time will increase as the season goes on, with the Dutchman thought to be accepting of the fact that dropping either Fernandes or Paul Pogba is out of the question right now.

Neither Van de Beek nor United have even considered going their separate ways this month, and the 23-year-old is ready to try and fight his way into the boss' plans.

The United chiefs have been impressed with Van de Beek's reaction to this adversity, but also with Solskjaer's ability to handle the situation and appease his dressing room.

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