Rio Ferdinand fears Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek will not get his chance to shine at Old Trafford in the coming months.
The 24-year-old midfielder, who joined United from Ajax last summer for a reported £35 million, struggled to make an impact under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer in his first season at the club.
In fact, the Dutchman has made just four Premier League starts since penning a five-year deal with the Reds.
Despite impressing in pre-season this summer, van de Beek didn't play a single minute in their opening two league games against Leeds and Southampton.
Former United centre-back Ferdinand is concerned about his future at the club and has questioned why Solskjaer is not giving him first-team opportunities.
"Donny van de Beek, he's not going to get a chance in this team is he? £40million and he ain't going to play," Ferdinand told his YouTube channel FIVE.
"Anyone coming in under Ole is an Ole signing. You give him the credit for the players who come in and do well, and you've got to take [criticism].
"I'm not one of those people who think every signing is going to be great. You are going to get them wrong, Fergie got them wrong.
"It's inevitable when you sign so many players that you get one or two wrong.
"Van De Beek, you don't know if he's wrong or right because he doesn't get the opportunity. That's the problem."
Back in June, former Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart said van de Beek is "too good" to be sat on the substitutes bench and "needs" to leave United in a bid to find regular first-team football.
After he was an unused substitute in the Netherlands' 2-2 draw against Scotland, the former Ajax and Real Madrid man made some bold claims.
"Manchester United could be a step too high for Van de Beek," Van der Vaart told ESPN.
"If nobody leaves United during the summer, he is going to need to get lucky to break into their starting eleven.
"He is much too good to remain sat on the bench for two seasons. He needs to get regular playing time soon."
Van de Beek, who scored 10 goals in 36 appearances in all competitions during his final season at Ajax, was close to signing for Real Madrid before joining United, according to reports.
But things have yet to work out for the player, although there is plenty of time to change things around.
"He is still young, but the time is flying past. Joining a club like Borussia Dortmund would have been better for him." Van der Vaart added.
"Donny was a perfect fit for Ajax's system, but he does not fit in at United."
Thoughts on van de Beek's current situation at Old Trafford? Should Solskjaer give the midfielder more minutes to prove his worth after a solid pre-season?
Let us know in the comments.
Featured Image Credit: PATopics: Donny van de Beek, Football, Manchester United, Premier League, Rio Ferdinand