Donny Van De Beek Aimed A Sneaky Dig At Manchester United After Achieving Everton Feat

Donny van de Beek joked about his lack of game time at Manchester United after making a positive first start for Everton.

Van de Beek joined the Toffees on a season-long loan last month and was named Man of the Match in Saturday's 3-0 win over Leeds United.

The 24-year-old has already played 120 minutes for Everton and last weekend was his first 90 minutes in the Premier League for nine months.

He said per Daily Mirror: "I am really happy to play 90 minutes.

"In the last 20 minutes I felt it was a long time ago that I played a full game, and I was a little bit tired! But it was an amazing day and a good start for me. We really needed this."

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Van de Beek joined United from Ajax in 2020 for £40 million and it was seen as a coup for the Red Devils.

The Netherlands international reached the Champions League semi-finals with Ajax in 2019 and was regarded as one of the world's top prospects.

He never nailed down a starting spot under former Ole Gunnar Solskjaer however, who preferred a midfield pairing of Fred and Scott McTominay.

Interim manager Ralf Rangnick also didn't use van de Beek, much to his frustration.

United refused to include a buy option as they believe van de Beek has a future at the club and the next permanent manager may have a use for him.

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Van de Beek played a key role in Seamus Coleman's opener against Leeds, putting in the cross which eventually bounced for Coleman to head home.

New manager Frank Lampard heaped praise on van de Beek in a recent interview and said he's a 'delight' to work with at Finch Farm.

He told the club's official website: "I was really happy with Donny, playing in a midfield two against Leeds is tough because of their movement and rotation of bodies. Him and Allan were fantastic.

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"Donny on the ball gives us a sense of calm and intelligence and rhythm – and he is going to get better and better.

"He has been a dream to work with in the short time he’s been here."

Everton sit 16th in the league and return to action against Southampton on Saturday afternoon.