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Paul Ince has Paul Pogba theory relating to Man Utd new signing Donny van de Beek
Donny van de Beek has yet to start a Premier League fixture following his summer transfer from Ajax
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Paul Ince has claimed that Donny van de Beek’s signing could mean Paul Pogba will leave Manchester United at the end of this season. Van de Beek was Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s most high-profile arrival of the summer, moving from Ajax in a deal worth around £40million.
However, in the opening weeks of the season, the 23-year-old has been forced to predominantly watch from the sidelines and has yet to make a Premier League start so far.
United’s league form has come under scrutiny, with Solskjaer’s men losing three of their first four games at Old Trafford.
The clamour for van de Beek to be handed a more prominent role continues to grow and former United midfielder Ince has questioned the decision to not play him from the start.
Ince, speaking exclusively to Ladbrokes at its launch of the 5-A-Side Bet on Leicester v Wolves said: "They've spent £40m on Donny Van de Beek and they're not playing him. I don't know why they signed him.
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“Maybe there's a situation where Pogba could be going at the end of the season and Van de Beek could come in. But if you've spent £40m on a player, you put him in! Put him in the team.
“No disrespect to Fred but do me a favour... Fred's OK. He's OK. He doesn't score goals, he doesn't set up goals. Midfield players are supposed to score goals. Even when you watch him shoot - he can't shoot!
“That's why you spend money on players, but then you've got to put them in the team. Bruno Fernandes came in and was straight in the team. Van de Beek must be sat there thinking 'what have I done?'"
Pogba in particular has come in for criticism from supporters and pundits, but Solskjaer has said he has seen positives from his game and is just looking for more consistency.
“Every player is frustrated at himself and disappointed after a defeat. We need consistency from every one of our players and that’s what we want.
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“Every player is frustrated at himself and disappointed after a defeat. We need consistency from every one of our players and that’s what we want.
“Paul’s been going through a difficult period with the injury last season and COVID-19, and now he is working up to [full] fitness.
“We’ve seen plenty of positives lately so hopefully he’ll continue.”
The Frenchman gave away a penalty during their latest home reversal against Arsenal and after claiming he was out of breath, Solskjaer said his midfielder mist take the blame.
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“Any situation, you’re a fit lad. Paul knows that exact incident he could have dealt with better and he’s held his hand up.
“That’s how it is in a game of football. It’s a high tempo and intensity and the fitter your are, the more you can do. That goes for every footballer around the world.”
United face Istanbul Basaksehir on Wednesday, looking to make it three wins from three Champions League games.
Following that, they travel to high-flying Everton, looking to finally kickstart their Premier League campaign.
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