Ferdinand’s fears about Paul Pogba directly led to Donny van de Beek’s demise

Rio Ferdinand's fears about Paul Pogba earlier in the season have directly, albeit unintentionally, led to Donny van de Beek being discarded at Old Trafford.

At the start of the campaign, shortly after Van de Beek had agreed terms with United, Ferdinand suggested the introduction of the Dutchman may disrupt the Red Devils midfield.

When asked whether Pogba will be forced to play in a new, unfamiliar position to make room for the £35million signing from Ajax, Ferdinand revealed it could make things difficult.

"Well, that is the big question, I think," Ferdinand told  BBC Radio 5 Live.

"Listen, if you say you're going to play your best players in that midfield and you're going to play three, then you'd say Paul Pogba playing in the holding role and [Bruno] Fernandes and Van de Beek being the guys that are playing around that, a bit more free and able to move around and create.

"Is that Paul Pogba's best position? I would argue not. But you have to look at what Ole Gunnar Solskjaer wants to do. Does he want his best players on the pitch or is he talking about players fitting in a system?

"I think that's the intriguing part for me going into the season from Man United's perspective in terms of the signing that they made, that player.

"Is he just going to be named as one of the best players in the team and he's going to play, or are we going to say we want the system for the players to fit into.

"It's a big call and that remains to be seen, but I still think Manchester United will have some sort of movement and there will be additions in this squad going into the season."

Ferdinand's fears about Pogba have somewhat evaporated as the season has progressed.

Pogba is an ever-present part of Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's Manchester United team, playing in his favoured position and on a sensational run of form.

But because of this Van de Beek is missing out, with the Dutchman largely banished to the United bench having made only two Premier League starts this season.

With Pogba in the team, playing the way he has been, Manchester United have moved to the top of the Premier League, suggesting Solskjaer won't change his winning formula.

Van de Beek has received much advice over the past few months in regards to his future, with the most recent coming from former United coach Frans Hoek.

While Hoek understands the midfielder is frustrated at his lack of game time, and reminded him a number of clubs would be keen on signing him, he suggested it would be best for Van de Beek to wait and see what the future brings before making a rash decision this January.

Speaking to Voetbal International, Hoek said of Van de Beek: "It is a big transition, from the Eredivisie to the Premier League. Not only the speed of action, but also physically. It is Ajax-Feyenoord in England every week, where you also have to win every match at United.

"But it is not as easy there as in some matches in the Netherlands. I think that we can only actually assess Van de Beek when we are one year later.

"Perhaps this is the run-up to a fantastic career for Van de Beek in Manchester. If not, there will be plenty of other clubs for him. For now I would say: wait and see."

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