Manchester United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer explains Donny van de Beek’s lack of playing time

Donny van de Beek will get his chance but still needs "time to settle in" and adapt to life at Manchester United, according to Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.

The £35m summer signing from Ajax is yet to start a Premier League or Champions League game for his new club with the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Fred and Scott McTominay preferred by Solskjaer.

Though Van de Beek has appeared in all seven of United's games in the opening weeks of the new season, his only starts have come in EFL Cup wins over Luton Town and Brighton and Hove Albion.

Ahead of Chelsea’s visit to Old Trafford this weekend, Solskjaer said that he has many options available to him in midfield and, though Van de Beek is fit for selection, the 23-year-old is also still adapting to his new surroundings.

"Donny's fit enough but of course it's competition for places, it's giving him time to settle in and adjust to his new teammates, it's a new league," Solskjaer said. 

"He's an absolutely top footballer and top personality, so humble and hard-working but also he’s of course eager to play more.  

"You'll see him throughout the season, it’s going to be a long, long season and you'll see him. He’s impressed me."

Van de Beek's lack of playing time was called into question last month by Sjaak Swart, the former Ajax winger who now works as an adviser for the United player's representatives.

"A substitute; I don't like it at all," Swart told Voetal Primeur. "I couldn't do it, coming on with four minutes left. You'd have to leave me on the bench."

Guido Albers, Van de Beek’s agent, played down Swart’s comments, insisting that his colleague was merely speaking about himself.

"There has been no problem at all since his move from Ajax, a deal that I negotiated on his behalf," Albers said. 

"Sjaak Swart was speaking in a personal capacity, as a mentor and advisor to Donny, and someone who is an Ajax legend. Donny is very happy with every minute he can play in a Manchester United shirt."

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