Newcastle United-linked midfielder Donny van de Beek was once again left on the bench for Manchester United last night.
The Dutchman finished 2021 in a way he has grown very accustomed to since moving to Old Trafford.
Some felt van de Beek might have come in for a rare start against Burnley.
After all, Bruno Fernandes was unavailable for selection being suspended.
But Ralf Rangnick opted against choosing a natural replacement in favour of using Mason Greenwood and Jadon Sancho in behind Cristiano Ronaldo and Edinson Cavani. Nemanja Matic and Scott McTominay were the midfielders.
It surely casts major doubt on van de Beek’s immediate future.
Some suggested it might be a clean slate for him with Rangnick replacing Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
But since the German came in on December 2, the former Ajax star has made just one start in the Champions League.
He also didn’t get off the bench against Newcastle on Monday.
Unlike van de Beek, two other Newcastle-linked players, James Tarkowski and Ben Mee, did feature.
If either player wanted to make a move to Newcastle, or the Magpies genuinely want to sign one or both, then it wasn’t the best audition from the pair in the last game before the winter window opens.
The usual solid duo could have done better on two of Manchester United’s goal. Mee sticking out a toe in an attempt to block Jadon Sancho’s effort resulted in the ball deflecting in, which goes down as an own goal for him.
And Tarkowski left Ronaldo unattended for a tap-in for the hosts’ third.
Could van de Deek demand January exit, amid Newcastle speculation?
It would be no surprise to see van de Beek demanding an exit from Manchester United.
It is a huge surprise to see how little he has featured since moving there.
At one point he has one of the most sought-after young players in Europe.
He’ll surely be trying his best to leave, with Rangnick seemingly not really rating him just like Solskjaer.
As to whether Newcastle should move for him, it would certainly be a gamble
Potentially he could be quite low on confidence, and could be lacking rhythm.
But on the other hand, he might be absolutely champing at the bit to prove Solskjaer and Ragnick wrong for continually overlooking him.
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