Donny van de Beek makes decision on Man Utd future after transfer speculation
By Tom Gott
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek is keen to stay at Old Trafford this month and is keen to fight his way into Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's starting lineup.
A £40m signing during the summer, Van de Beek has started just twice in the Premier League this season and has not featured at all during United's last three matches in the competition, prompting rumours that he could be on his way out during the winter transfer window.
A loan move to Inter has been suggested, because United players are legally not allowed to join any other team apparently, but Dutch outlet Het Parool claim Van de Beek isn't considering a move away from Old Trafford.
Solskjaer has urged Van de Beek to stay patient, and the midfielder has heard that message loud and clear. He doesn't want to leave on loan as he sees that as 'giving up' - something he wants to avoid at all costs.
The one issue in the back of Van de Beek's mind is whether his lack of minutes could impact his chances of making the Dutch squad for next summer's European championships. There's a lot of competition for minutes in the Netherlands' midfield, and Van de Beek knows he is risking missing out altogether.
He has already lost his place in Frank de Boer's starting lineup, instead coming off the bench in the last two Nations League games, but Van de Beek believes he can fight his way back into contention before the season comes to a close.
It's not as if Van de Beek has been bad this season. He has been reliable when called upon, but the 23-year-old's problem is that so have the rest of United's midfield.
It's the return to form of Paul Pogba which has left Van de Beek on the periphery of the squad. The Dutchman was billed as a replacement for Pogba during the summer, but Pogba's resurgence in recent weeks has seen him fly back to the top of the pecking order.
Solskjaer has preferred Pogba alongside any combination of Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic, and United's impressive form in recent weeks has left no room for Van de Beek.
The boss is confident that Van de Beek will have enough chances to strut his stuff this season, and it seems as though that optimism has rubbed off on the midfielder.