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Alex McLeish thinks Donny van de Beek’s situation at Man Utd is making him ‘feel unworthy’ and that the Dutchman should leave the club in January.

Van de Beek joined the Red Devils in September last year for £35million. Having come through the ranks at Ajax, it was expected that the playmaker would make a big impact at Old Trafford.

However, things have not gone to plan. Van de Beek rarely played a full 90 minutes in the Premier League last term. Most of his 19 appearances were off the bench as a second-half impact sub.

That trend has continued this season as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has a wealth of attacking options. The Norwegian can rely on Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in van de Beek’s favoured position.

The 24-year-old’s lack of game time has resulted in rumours of a Man Utd exit. Everton recently confirmed that they attempted to sign him in the summer, only to be knocked back.

The general consensus is that the Toffees will return in January with an improved loan offer.

Former manager McLeish compared van de Beek to Daniel James. The pacy winger left Man Utd for Leeds following the signing of Jadon Sancho by the Red Devils.

“What do we say every week? They need to play, don’t they, they need to play,” McLeish told Football Insider.

“Donny van de Beek will be losing confidence, that is a massive factor for any individual in any sport or walk of life they’re in. Confidence breeds success.

“That kid will be feeling unworthy. That he is not good enough for the club. A move to a club such as Everton, if he can get regular football, it’d be a bit like Daniel James.

“He’s gone to Leeds, he’s playing regularly and you can see the enthusiasm in his game.

“Van de Beek, he is seen as one of the emerging, young, world-class players at his age level.

Assessing who will be the next Premier League manager to get the sack

“But there are so many players that he’s trying to usurp. Ole has a fixed idea in his head about who he’s going to play every week.

“It seems to be a bunch of players who we see week in, week out. No sign of Van de Beek making a breakthrough.

“He has to go and get regular football for his own sake and his own health, fitness levels and to show his prowess as a footballer.”

Suarez ‘recommended’ Man Utd target to Barcelona

Uruguay striker Luis Suarez has revealed that he recommended Darwin Nunez to Barcelona.

The 22-year-old is one of the best strikers in the world at his age group. So much so that Benfica have handed him a release clause worth €150million.

Man Utd scouted him recently and are joined by Chelsea in the transfer race. But Suarez gave Barca the chance to land Nunez when his value was far less.

“I recommended Darwin to Barcelona when he was at Almeria,” Suarez said. “[With] have 15 years of international experience, I know a thing or two about forwards.

“And I told them, ‘pay attention to this one, he’s very good, he shows interesting things’. They told me he was at Almeria and that he was too young.

“But instead of paying now €80m, €90m or €100m, they would’ve paid €15m or €20m and have him there as a substitute.”

READ MORE: Tactical switch sees Villa rival Everton for target with Man Utd ramifications

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