Donny van de Beek's spell at Manchester United has been less than ideal for the Dutchman.
Despite joining United on the back of huge momentum following his performances for Ajax, Van de Beek has struggled to gain any meaningful game time for the Reds. He has made just 53 appearances for United despite the club suffering its worse form on the pitch.
Many fans were clamouring for Van de Beek to start last season however interim boss Ralf Rangnick opted to send the 25-year-old out on loan to Everton. This decision appeared to baffle most people considering the form Scott McTominay and Paul Pogba were in at the time.
ALSO READ: Van de Beek's agent has ruthlessly exposed United's culture
However, Van de Beek's former agent Guido Albers explained this week why the Dutchman was pushing to leave the Reds. Albers told Voetbal Primeur: "In the Netherlands, Donny got all the appreciation, performed well and was super popular with the fans.
"At Manchester United, he then never played. The relationship between him and the club really cooled down badly.
"He had to compete against Paul Pogba, who reported late to the training camp, said sorry and was allowed to play again – in the place of a boy who was training 10 hours a day for eight weeks to show he was good enough." While at this stage it is unclear whether Albers' comments are true or not, there is potentially evidence that there is some truth to his allegations.
Back in July, Van de Beek suggested that previous managers' relationships with other players had prevented him from making a mark at United. "Of course you think a lot about football, but you have to stay yourself and never change as a player," he explained.
"It also depends on which manager is in the club and which kind of players he likes. I just do my best and I have to push every day.
"Everyone can improve, me as well, so I am always looking at how I can improve." This suggestion from Van de Beek that other managers favoured certain players would add credence to the allegations that Pogba was able to keep his place in the squad despite being late for training.
Pogba made 20 Premier League appearances for United last season under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick. This count could well have been higher if he had not been hit with two injuries in the previous campaign.
READ NEXT:
