Michael Carrick has admitted Donny van de Beek wasn't given enough first-team opportunities at Manchester United before joining Everton on loan.
The Blues confirmed the signing of the Dutchman from United on transfer deadline day back in January after days of negotiations between both clubs and Van de Beek.
The midfielder emerged as one of Europe’s top young talents during Ajax’s 2018/19 season and he reached double figures for goals in three straight seasons for his old club.
However, the Netherlands international has struggled to break into the first team at Old Trafford since a £39m move from Ajax in the summer of 2020.
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Van de Beek made just two starts in the Premier League across the entirety of 2021 and played just 380 minutes across all competitions for United this season.
But since making the move to Goodison Park, the 24-year-old has featured much more regularly and has come in for praise from Blues boss Frank Lampard.
And Carrick, who left United just weeks after manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s sacking, has admitted he is delighted to see the Dutchman playing.
"I am delighted for Donny. He is a terrific lad. Great attitude," the former United and England midfielder told Premier League Productions.
“Football is funny, at times. Sometimes things don’t work how you want them to work for a variety of reasons when you make a move to a certain club.
“I am delighted he is playing. He needed games. He obviously didn’t have enough, he will be saying, over the last year or so.
“He’s so versatile as well. He has got different strengths. He has played in a three tonight [against Tottenham], but I think he is really dangerous in and around the box. But he is really clever in and around the box.”
