Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek knows he needs to leave the club, but could he end up with a role to play between now and January?

Manchester United’s injury crisis has not eased up yet. As soon as one player makes it back, another goes down injured.]

The latest crisis point is in midfield, with Mason Mount the latest to suffer an injury. He joins Christian Eriksen and Casemiro on the sidelines.

Academy wonderkid Kobbie Mainoo started against Everton, a testament to his superb talent, but also demonstrating how stretched the team’s midfield options are at present.

Donny van de Beek eyes exit

Donny van de Beek does need to leave Manchester United in the summer, and he has acknowledged this, speaking to Fabrizio Romano over the weekend.

The former Ajax star said: “I need to play on regular basis… if not at Man United, it will be at another club. It’s a healthy ambition. I’m absolutely crazy about football. I make a good living at Man United, but money has never been my motivation.”

It’s understandable. Van de Beek has only played 21 minutes of game time for Manchester United this season.

Van de Beek may be needed

Manchester United have a really tough fixture list coming up, in terms of quality of opposition and volume of games.

Between now and the new year, United face Galatasaray, Bayern Munich, Newcastle, Chelsea, West Ham, and Liverpool, plus games against Bournemouth and Aston Villa.

United’s current fit midfield options are Bruno Fernandes, Scott McTominay, Sofyan Amrabat, Kobbie Mainoo, Hannibal Mejbri, and Donny van de Beek.