Donny van de Beek left FURIOUS after being left on the bench for Manchester United’s win over Villarreal… as he is consoled by team-mates before throwing his chewing gum down in disgust
- Donny van de Beek was left on the bench as Manchester United chased victory
- Dutchman could not contain frustration though after being overlooked late on
- Manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer only used four of his five substitutes
- But Red Devils boss was justified with changes as United triumphed 2-1
- Van de Beek however has already been an used sub six times this season
Donny van de Beek had to be consoled by team-mates after once again being left on the bench during Manchester United’s victory over Villarreal – and was seen throwing his chewing gum down in frustration.
United came from behind in the Champions League clash at Old Trafford after Alex Telles’ stunning goal on the hour and Cristiano Ronaldo’s last-gasp winner saw them hit back following a 53rd minute Paco Alcacer strike to win 2-1 in the group stage encounter.
Van de Beek was on the bench for the tie but with a minute to play could not contain his anger after being overlooked when United prepared a double change to bring on Jesse Lingard and Fred – despite having an allocation for one more substitution.
Eric Bailly (right) and Dean Henderson (top left) console Donny van de Beek (centre) in the Manchester United dugout
The Dutchman reacts a minute from time after failing to be used as a substitute for United
Consoled by team-mates from behind and to his left in Eric Bailly, Van de Beek covered his face with his hand before appearing to take out chewing gum from his mouth and throwing it down into the United technical area where manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and his assistant Terry Phelan were standing.
According to reports, the Dutchman had also threw his bib to the floor after being told he would not be coming on when returning from a warm up.
Solskjaer had earlier sent on Edinson Cavani and Nemanja Matic looking for a winning goal.
Walking to the dugout with Bailly, Van de Beek was an unused sub for the sixth time this term
As manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer looks on (centre), Van de Beek turns to face Nemanja Matic
Despite Van de Beek’s frustrations, the United manager was justified for his changes as Cavani and Lingard proved influential in the move which led to Ronaldo firing home in the fifth minute of time added on.
However, United were largely poor overall and the Dutchman perhaps had justification to be furious at being overlooked on a night where Villarreal were at least good value for a point.
Van de Beek has struggled for first-team action at United since arriving in a high-profile £35million move from Ajax last summer.
This season he has featured just three times, playing as little as six minutes in the Premier League despite Solskjaer repeatedly saying he will get minutes.
Solskjaer’s late changes were justified as Cristiano Ronaldo scored a stoppage time winner
Solskjaer congratulates sub Jesse Lingard in the European comeback win over Villarreal
Although he has featured in all the matchday squads, this is now the sixth time he has been left as an unused substitute this term, and his future beyond January already looks unclear as he seeks first-team football.
The midfielder started United’s first Champions League match at Young Boys but was replaced at half-time as United looked to shuffle their formation following a first half red card for Aaron Wan-Bissaka before they eventually crumbled to a 2-1 loss.
His only other appearance this term has come in the League Cup where he played the full match against West Ham, only for United to collapse again after being knocked out at Old Trafford by the Hammers.
