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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Jake Stokes

Frank Lampard given 'green light' to finally solve Manchester United's 'Matrix transfer parable'

This is your last chance. After this, there is no turning back. You take the blue pill - you become a goalscoring midfielder, you wake up in Merseyside and you complete more box-to-box runs than anybody else.

You take the red pill - you stay in wonderland, and Patrick Vieira shows you how to become a world-beating schemer.

Almost like The Matrix, the transfer market is an illusory world. Donny van de Beek is approaching a crossroads in the final hours of the January window as the Dutchman edges closer to a move that could determine his Manchester United legacy.

The 24-year-old is due to decide whether he prefers a move to Crystal Palace or Everton, after United reached an agreement with either side to take Van de Beek on loan until the end of the season.

Under Vieira - the red pill - Van de Beek could reignite his career as an enforcer but under prospective Everton boss Lampard - if he takes the blue pill - then he can become a goalscorer.

And, with Ralf Rangnick already armed with the steely pivot of Scott McTominay and Fred, the Reds should usher United's uninspired £35 million arrival westbound to Goodison Park, in what could potentially become a blockbuster first signing for Lampard.

Chelsea's all-time top goalscorer and former manager could strike up an exciting relationship with Van de Beek. The former secures a low-risk, high-reward coup and the latter gets the chance to reignite his Premier League career.

The Netherlands international directly contributed towards 53 goals in just 118 Eredivisie appearances for Ajax, highlighting his eye for goal at such a young age. Remind you of anyone, Frank?

Having featured 50 times for United since arriving, Van de Beek will just be keen to get his feet under the table and some minutes under his belt.

However, Rangnick must consider the Matrix-esque parable that United have been offered; if the Dutchman takes the blue pill and joins Everton, then the Reds could welcome back a serial goalscoring midfielder, transformed by Lampard.

Van de Beek could arm United with a greater goal threat from midfield ahead of next season, moulding himself into the perfect Paul Pogba replacement.

Rangnick's forgotten man in midfield doesn't see his contract at Old Trafford expire until 2025, with an option for a further year. That leaves the door open for Van de Beek to carve out a United future on his own terms, should a potential loan under Lampard prove successful.

Follow our United on My Mind trends writer Jake Stokes and let us know your thoughts in the comments section below.

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