RIO FERDINAND admits he feels sorry for Manchester United outcast Donny van de Beek.
The United legend has questioned why the club signed Van de Beek if they were not prepared to play him regularly.
Ferdinand told his podcast, Vibe with Five: “I feel for him. I don’t care who you are – if you’re playing the odd two minutes here and there, three minutes here and there, you cannot perform.
“I don’t care what level of player you are.
“I don’t think he’s been helped in terms of team selection and opportunities so I don’t think it’s fair to say he’s underperforming because he’s not been put in a position to perform yet on a consistent basis.
“I really do feel for him but it would be interesting to hear what he was sold and told on the way in because the lack of opportunities, I don’t think he’d have come here if he’d known that.”
Van de Beek has started most of United’s matches on the bench since his £40million summer move from Ajax.
The Dutch star has cut a frustrated figure at Old Trafford with a lack of football hinting at a future away from the club.
And Ferdinand is convinced the 23-year-old midfielder has the talent to improve United’s side.
Ferdinand said: “‘I think he would add value to this team, definitely. He’s someone who would create goals, he played a part in the goal (vs Leicester). When he gets in the box, he knows how to put the ball in the back of the net.
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“But to get in the box he’s got to play in the position where Bruno Fernandes is playing and he’s not going to do that. Can he do it from No 8 position or No 6 when he’s holding? I think he can. He’s intelligent enough.
“Ajax players are brought up to be intelligent footballers, they are able to play multiple positions, he can do that. It’s just obviously United want a stiffer central midfield area behind Bruno.
“I get that, given that’s got to be protecting the centre backs and that’s not going to be one of Van de Beek’s strengths. But then it begs the question: why buy him then?”
