Manchester United women's star Jackie Groenen has admitted that she has playfully teased fellow Dutch compatriot Donny van de Beek over his lack of playing time at Old Trafford.
Van de Beek arrived last summer at United from Ajax in a reported £35m deal as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer aimed to reinforce his midfield options.
But the former Ajax star has struggled to establish himself as a regular in the starting XI and endured a disappointing start to life in the Premier League.
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Van de Beek has failed to start a league match for United in 2021 and only played more than 20 minutes once for the Red Devils since last December.
Despite the 24-year-old midfielder's struggles, Solskjaer has suggested that the Dutchman remains part of his plans at United going forward.
Groenen, meanwhile, has been at United since 2019 after she left the women's Eintracht Frankfurt team.
The 26-year-old Dutch midfielder has become an important part of the United team under manager Casey Stoney.
Groenen partnered with United women's skipper Katie Zelem in midfield when her side beat West Ham last month in their first Women's Super League match at Old Trafford.
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The Netherlands international hilariously revealed that she poked fun at Van De Beek by saying she had played at Old Trafford more times than him.
Groenen also said that she talks with Van de Beek "regularly" and believes that he is happy at United, despite his lack of playing time this season.
The United women's star told ESPN: "I joked the other day by telling him that I've played Old Trafford more times than he has.
"I think he's having a good time, so it must be fine. I talk to him regularly."
Groenen played the full length of United's 2-0 WSL match against West Ham at the Theatre of Dreams.
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Her time on the pitch leaves her around one hour short of Van de Beek's total league playing time at Old Trafford.
Van de Beek's United struggles could lead to him missing out on a place in the Netherlands XI for Euro 2020 this summer.
Netherlands boss Frank de Boer claimed that he has spoken to Van de Beek's agent and the former Ajax midfielder wants to fight for his place at United.
The 50-year-old Dutchman told talkSPORT in March: "His agent also told me that of course he's not happy that he's not playing.
"He's only had two starts under Solskjaer and that's not what he hoped for when he joined Man Utd.
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"He's not worried, of course he wants to play every game. But he's not worried that he can't succeed.
"He has to have a review after this year, asking where do I stand? Do I have a possibility to succeed here or not? Otherwise, I have to make a move.
"We will see where he's heading next year, maybe he stays at Man Utd or maybe another club is interesting for him.
"But he's not panicking at all, he told the manager he's so happy at Man Utd because the club is one of the best in terms of how they treat him, he feels loved."
Featured Image Credit: ESPN/PATopics: Donny van de Beek, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, England
