Donny van de Beek of Manchester United prepares to enter the game as a substitute during his last match during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on May 18, 2021 in Manchester, United Kingdom
Donny van de Beek of Manchester United prepares to enter the game as a substitute during his last match during the Premier League match between Manchester United and Fulham at Old Trafford on May 18, 2021 in Manchester, United Kingdom

A 5-1 victory season-opener at home against Leeds United seemed to be a sign of Manchester United’s revamped fight for the English Premier League title, but the draw against Southampton last weekend brought those expectations back to the ground.

Jadon Sancho has yet to score as he adjusts to Manchester United’s playstyle, and Raphael Varane has not yet touched the pitch thus far.

With the transfer deadline closing in, many have speculated that Manchester United right-back Donny van de Beek will be asking for a transfer away from Old Trafford.

Van de Beek joined the club last year on a £40 million ($55 million) transfer fee but has yet to make an appearance this season.

He was left on the sidelines for the Southampton match as he watched Red Devils manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deploy Jadon Sancho, Jesse Lingard and Scott McTominay, who is nursing an injury.

The Dutchman has been struggling to compete for minutes since his arrival from Ajax, and it has caused some concern from the Manchester United faithful.

After the Southampton match, Solskjaer made sure that everyone knew Van de Beek has a role secured at Old Trafford.

"I thought Nemanja [Matic] was excellent, Anthony [Martial] was close to scoring a goal but Jadon [Sancho] and Donny will be important for us,” said Solskjaer.

Guido Albers, the agent representing Van de Beek spoke to Dutch newspaper De Telegraaf and expressed his client’s happiness about the situation.

"Everyone within the club knows that Donny cannot have another season like last year," said Albers.

“In preparation, clarity would be provided about his role. The fans had already embraced him before, but the most important thing is that the trainer [Solskjaer] has now provided clarity in the English press. We are happy with that. And I assume that Donny will play a lot in one of the positions in midfield in the coming period.”

Van de Beek’s future at Manchester United appears to be safe for now, but they will have to prepare for a shootout at the top of the standings with Chelsea now having Romelu Lukaku on the team.

Manchester United is set to face the Wolverhampton Wanderers away at Molineux Stadium on August 29.