Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was less than impressed to be asked about his reluctance to start Donny van de Beek after Manchester United’s 4-1 victory over Newcastle and insisted the midfielder would ‘get his game-time’ if he continues to make an impact as he did at St James’ Park.
Van de Beek is yet to start a Premier League match for the Red Devils since his summer move from Ajax and was named on the substitutes bench for the fourth game in a row as United came from behind to win on Saturday evening.
Harry Maguire put a nightmare week behind him to equalise after Luke Shaw’s early own goal and a flurry of late strikes from Bruno Fernandes, Marcus Rashford and Aaron Wan-Bissaka sealed all three points for the visitors.
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Van de Beek stressed before the game that he would be willing to play whatever role or position Solskjaer asked in a bid to boost his minutes and the Dutchman went on to send a message to his manager with an impressive cameo performance after replacing Daniel James.
‘He’ll get his game-time. He’s been fantastic in the group,’ Solskjaer said when asked about Van de Beek’s continued absence from his starting XI at his post-match press conference.
‘I think you see today and in training, he’s so neat and tidy, I don’t think he lost the ball once.
‘It’s about finding the balance in the team. We’ve won 4-1 today and you’re asking why I didn’t start one of the players.
‘He’ll have a very good impact on the team.’
Solskjaer said he was delighted with the spirit and character his players showed in the wake of their 6-1 defeat to Tottenham before the international break.
The Norwegian added: ‘I think the boys showed great resilience, great reaction after the last game but also after conceding the first goal after a minute or so which made it even more difficult for them.
‘I thought they pulled it together, played some nice football, patient and I thought we controlled and dominated the game and, in the end, it counted.
‘You have to respond and bounce back after a defeat.
‘But it was a great response by everyone, they’ve pulled together as a group.’
