Former Ajax and PSV Eindhoven star Wim Kieft believes Donny van de Beek has no need to panic at Manchester United.
The former Ajax midfielder has struggled to make an impression in the early weeks of his United career. Thus far, Van de Beek has managed just 61 minutes of Premier League action and didn't get off the bench for Saturday's 0-0 draw against Chelsea.
Van de Beek's two starts for United this season came in triumphant Carabao Cup games at Luton and Brighton. The Holland international joined the Premier League giants over the summer from Ajax in a £35m deal.
Big things were expected from Van de Beek, but he has found manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer favouring the likes of Paul Pogba, Juan Mata and in-form Bruno Fernandes for a place in his attacking midfield positions.
However, Kieft is convinced there is a place for Van de Beek in Solskjaer's plans and wrote for De Telegraaf via Voetbalzone: "We from the Netherlands quickly think that such players will just get a basic place in the toughest competition in the world.
"But that trainer is not crazy and he sees during training and during games that Van de Beek has to get used to the pace and physical resistance in the Premier League.
“Even Zlatan Ibrahimovic and Pogba were shocked when they ended up in the English league. Then for a young player like Van de Beek, familiar with the Eredivisie and trained with the safe way of playing at Ajax, it is not surprising that he is brought slowly and needs an adjustment period.
"Just see what happened to Davy Klaassen (now of Ajax) at Everton.
"Van de Beek just has to settle for his role in the pecking order at United and wait calmly for his chance. That can take longer if a team wins their away game in the Champions League against the finalist (PSG)..."
Kieft is a former Ajax player, kicking off his distinguished career with the Amsterdam giants before going onto play in Italy with Pisa and Torino, along in France with Bordeaux. The former centre-forward also managed two spells with PSV Eindhoven.
Kieft boasts 42 caps with Holland.
- updated October 26
