United's Van de Beek tries to get career on track with Everton loan

Donny van de Beek joined Everton on loan for the rest of the season after four Premier League starts in one-and-a-half years at Manchester United.

Crystal Palace were also interested in a temporary deal for Van de Beek, but the Dutch midfielder preferred a switch to Goodison Park, according to Simon Stone of BBC Sport.

"I hope to bring my football qualities, my passing, and, of course, scoring goals," the 24-year-old said after making move Monday. "It is a big part of my game to score and give assists and I will try to do that again. And it is not only offensive, you have to defend as a midfielder and I can do that as well."

Van de Beek moved to Old Trafford from Ajax in a transfer worth up to €44 million in August 2020. However, he's been a bit-part player at United under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the manager who signed him, and his successor Ralf Rangnick. The 24-year-old's last league start was on the final day of the 2020-21 Premier League campaign.

Van de Beek's also fallen down the Netherlands' pecking order. The last time he was in a Dutch starting XI was for a friendly against Spain in November 2020.

He joins a club that also needs recalibrating. Despite huge expenditure in recent years, Everton are only four points above the relegation zone in 16th place. The Toffees have turned to Frank Lampard to get them out of the relegation scrap, hiring the bench boss on Monday.

Van de Beek said the English manager's appointment played a key role in his decision to join the club.

"I had a really positive meeting with the new coach. We have the same ideas about football and he had a lot of influence on my decision."