Manchester United star Donny van de Beek was spotted at Liverpool ’s Kirkby academy training ground on Tuesday afternoon to offer support to his former side Ajax.
The Dutch side’s under-19 set-up were on Merseyside to clash with the Reds in UEFA Youth League action - a tournament that mirrors the set-up of the Champions League.
Van de Beek was on hand to offer support to some of Ajax’s young guns for the game as he was spotted at the Reds’ academy ground. He was pictured watching the game alongside former Ajax striker Klaas-Jan Huntelaar, who was handed a role among the club’s technical staff earlier this year.
Of course, it is no surprise to see Van de Beek choosing to support Ajax considering his close relationship with the Dutch club. The midfielder is a product of the club’s academy before he went on to make 175 appearances, scoring 41 goals in all.
Those exemplary displays saw the now 25-year-old earn a big-money move to Manchester United in the summer of 2020 but he has struggled for consistency at Old Trafford ahead of a loan switch to Everton for the second half of last season.
Upon signing for Man Utd, he issued a touching statement on Twitter. He wrote: “After 13 years, I say goodbye to the club that played a huge part in my development.
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“I thank everyone who made this move possible. Time has come for a new chapter, but @afcajax and the fans will always have a special place in my heart. I will keep following you! Donny.”
Despite Van de Beek’s presence for the match, he was not able to inspire Ajax’s latest crop of promising youngsters to victory. The Dutch side fell to a 3-0 defeat to Liverpool - Oakley Cannonier stealing the headlines with a hat-trick.
It goes without saying that Ajax will certainly be aiming to do better as the senior sides clash at Anfield on Tuesday evening. The Eredivisie side could potentially extend their perfect start to their latest Champions League venture having thumped Rangers on the opening matchday, whilst Liverpool fell to a shocking 4-1 defeat at the hands of Italian giants Napoli.
Whilst the two sides are set to square off on Merseyside, it remains to be seen if Van de Beek will be able to stick around considering his potential commitments later this week. His current side Man Utd are set to take on FC Sheriff in their second group game of the latest Europa League campaign on Thursday.
Erik ten Hag’s men endured a horror start to their latest venture into Europe having fallen to a slender defeat to Real Sociedad at Old Trafford last week. Van de Beek was left out of the squad entirely for the game whilst he has not played a single minute since the Red Devils’ victory over Liverpool last month.
