Manchester United legend Rio Ferdinand says midfielder Donny van de Beek 'wouldn't be there still now' if he was representing the Dutch star.
United signed van de Beek, 24, in the summer of 2020, in what was seen as a bargain price of just £35million from Ajax — a season after he'd shone in the Dutch club's remarkable run to the Champions League semi-finals.
But the player has endured a difficult spell at Old Trafford, managing 515 minutes of football in the Premier League last season, scoring one goal and registering one assist.
His opportunities in the United first team are yet to improve this term, with recent reports suggesting Van de Beek has changed agents in a bid to force through a move in January.
The 24-year-old has just a mere 141 minutes of action to his name across all competitions in the current campaign.
And now, speaking on his FIVE YouTube channel, former Old Trafford favourite Ferdinand said if he was the player, he'd be 'off'.
Rio said: "Sometimes it just is timing when you're there and it's the ability to gel with what's there at that time as well.
"If it ain't all clicking together, then you've got to get on your bike and that's what if I'm Donny van de Beek I'm off, there ain't no talking to me.
"I know, listen. I love Donny because he's a humble kid, man, but I've got to be honest for you, if I was looking after him, he wouldn't be there still now. He'd have been gone."
Newcastle United and Barcelona have been linked with January moves for van de Beek, while Everton also showed an interest in the midfielder in the summer.
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