Man Utd midfielder was taking 'five years' to make a pass during Aston Villa, everyone noticed

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has been accused of taking 'five years' to pass the ball during Sunday's 3-1 defeat to Aston Villa.

The Netherlands international made his first United start in 701 days at Villa Park, with Bruno Fernandes serving a one-match ban.

Villa raced to a 2-0 lead inside 11 minutes through Leon Bailey and Lucas Digne before a Jacob Ramsey own goal just on the stroke of halftime got United back into it.

Ramsey made up for that four minutes after the break by restoring Villa's two-goal lead in their first game under new manager Unai Emery.

United's midfield struggled, with van de Beek in particular looking off the pace. Erik ten Hag put his faith in the 25-year-old, despite his average performance against Real Sociedad in midweek.

Clinton Morrison watched the game for BBC Radio 5 Live, remarking van de Beek didn't match the game's intensity.

He explained: "I think Bruno Fernandes is key for Manchester United. Donny van de Beek hasn’t played a lot of football.

"I watched him the other night against Real Sociedad and he looked a bit short, so I was surprised [to see him in the starting XI] and it’s a big call for [Erik] Ten Hag to put him in there.

"Donny van de Beek took about five years to play the ball out and that’s why he isn’t up to the pace with it."

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Morrison then picked out one piece of play which could've given United a great scoring opportunity if van de Beek moved quicker.

The former Crystal Palace striker continued: "It was great play from Diogo Dalot, when van de Beek gets there he should just spin it in the channels straight away.

"Marcus Rashford made a great run and can’t get back onside by the time Donny van de Beek plays it."

Van de Beek worked with ten Hag at Ajax and the duo reached a Champions League semi-final back in 2019.

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Many expected him to find a new lease of life at Old Trafford but he's still failed to nail down a first-team place.

Last month, a report from the Daily Express claimed ten Hag was open to letting van de Beek leave in January if a suitable bid arrived.

A fourth Premier League defeat of the campaign leaves United fifth in the Premier League table. They face Villa once again on Thursday, this time in the Carabao Cup.

Do you think Donny van de Beek has a future at Manchester United? Let us know in the comments.