Solskjaer: Van de Beek’s time will come

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists Donny van de Beek’s time will come as he has supported the Dutch midfielder as a key player for Manchester United going forward.

Van de Beek arrived from Ajax this summer but has yet to seal a regular role under Solskjaer since joining Old Trafford.

The Dutch midfielder has played 10 times in the Premier League this season, but only two of those appearances have been debuts.

Van de Beek has only played 251 minutes in the Premier League, despite having started three times in the Champions League and the League Cup each.

Although the former Ajax star hasn’t quite taken over, Solskjaer says he has high hopes that Van de Beek will become an important player when given a real chance to shine.

“Donny played well when he gets the chance,” said Solskjaer. “I think sometimes we are too quick to jump at the fact that if he doesn’t play it’s a failure.

“Victor [Lindelof] and Fred are good examples in my squad that it takes a little while and now they’re extremely important players in our squad and in our squad and it will be the same with Donny.

“He came in and is part of a midfield of quality players, stimulating with Bruno [Fernandes], Juan [Mata], Jesse [Lingard].

“I have lots of No. 10s and lots of midfielders with Paul [Pogba], Nemanja [Matic], Scott [McTominay], Fred.

“There are a lot of them and Donny has played well when he gets the chance and it’s a great thing that you’re ready.

“He’s always ready, he’s working hard in training, [is] positive and he will make a difference in many games for us this season, but he will grow bigger and bigger, even for next year.

Manchester United are gearing up for a Carabao Cup semi-final, where they meet rivals Manchester City in hopes of booking a date for the final against Tottenham.

The Red Devils also remain in the Premier League title race, tied on points with first-place Liverpool with one game in hand.

After facing Manchester City, Man Utd will face Watford in the FA Cup third round before traveling to Burnley on January 12 in their next Premier League game.