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Chelsea icon labels this Man United summer move as “crazy” – slams Solskjaer’s decision-making vs PSG

Erik ten Hag deems former Ajax star Donny van de Beek 'surplus to requirements' at Manchester United.
Erik ten Hag deems former Ajax star Donny van de Beek 'surplus to requirements' at Manchester United.

Former Chelsea defender Frank Lebouef calls Van de Beek signing “crazy”

Speaking to ESPN FC (h/t Metro), former Chelsea defender Frank Lebouef put forth his views on Manchester United signing Donny van de Beek in the summer and Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s managerial approach in the 1-3 loss against PSG on Wednesday.

Manchester United bought Donny van de Beek from Ajax in the summer with high expectations, but the 23-year-old has only started one Premier League game all season for the Red Devils.

Van de Beek has seen more action in the UEFA Champions League, where he has made the starting XI thrice, including both fixtures against minnows Istanbul Besaksehir.

However, pundit Frank Lebouef believes Van de Beek should have had his 4th UEFA Champions League start of the season for Manchester United when the Red Devils took on PSG on Wednesday.

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has started just one game this season in the Premier League. (GETTY Images)
Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has started just one game this season in the Premier League. (GETTY Images)

Lebouef expressed that he was perplexed at Solskjaer’s decision to not start van de Beek especially when Paul Pogba was also on the bench, and questioned the intent behind signing Van de Beek in the summer.

“If you don’t have Pogba, you have Van de Beek. You have to really wonder why they bought Van de Beek during the pre-season. Because that’s absolutely crazy. And that’s some bad coaching.”

Lebouef went on to question United’s desire to score an equalizer despite being a man down, and highlighted the importance of Neymar’s goal which put PSG ahead on the head-to-head scoreline in the group stages.

Donny van de Beek was only used as a substitute against PSG on matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League group stages. (GETTY Images)
Donny van de Beek was only used as a substitute against PSG on matchday 5 of the UEFA Champions League group stages. (GETTY Images)

Manchester United drew level against PSG in the 32nd minute when Marcus Rashford cancelled out Neymar’s 6th-minute opener for the Parisians.

Fred was sent off in the 70th minute for the Red Devils, an event which resulted in Pogba coming on for Marcus Rashford. Van de Beek followed 5 minutes later when he was subbed on for Edinson Cavani.

United could not get an equalizer and instead conceded again in added time for Neymar to seal the scoreline at 1-3. United must now avoid defeat against RB Leipzig at Old Trafford next week to progress from their group.

Written by Aniket Rai

An ordinary football fan, doing what he loves.

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