Van de Beek 'running out of time to save his Man Utd career' claims Berbatov

Dimitar Berbatov fears that Donny van de Beek's Manchester United career is 'not working out' and that the Dutchman's chances at Old Trafford are running out.

Van de Beek was a high profile arrival from Ajax last summer for a fee of around £40million having gained a big reputation from being part of the Dutch club's stunning run to the 2019 Champions League semi-final.

Yet since arriving at Old Trafford the midfielder has barely been given a run in the first-team.

The 24-year-old was given a rare start in the Champions League at Young Boys on Tuesday, but with the Red Devils reduced to 10 men following Aaron Wan-Bissaka's first half red card, he was sacrificed at half-time as a substitute for defender Raphael Varane.

Last season he made only four Premier League starts in 19 appearances and former United striker Berbatov believes it will now be tough for him to gain many more chances in the first team.

Berbatov told Betfair: 'United midfielder Donny van de Beek is running out of time to save his United career. He started against Young Boys but was substituted at half-time.

'This has been the story of his time at the club. If he plays, he's brought off. If he comes on, he gets 10 minutes. He never gets the chance to settle and show what he can do.

'It's just not working out for Van de Beek. It's a pity because United paid big money for him. But this is what happens when you spend money just to satisfy your fans.

'I still hope he gets a proper chance but it is going to be very difficult for him and the club may decide to cut their losses, if they can.'

Even this season Van de Beek remains barely used, with his first half display only adding to six cameo Premier League minutes against Newcastle United last weekend in the 4-1 victory.

Van de Beek has found the likes of Paul Pogba, Bruno Fernandes, Fred, Scott McTominay and Nemanja Matic in front of him in the pecking order and appears to have no fit in Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's system.

His nightmare year continued in the summer when he was ruled out of Euro 2020 with an injury and he has since lost his place in the Holland squad owing to his limited playing time at United.