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MANCHESTER – Help could soon be at hand for Donny van de Beek, for the sight of the Dutchman on Manchester United’s substitutes’ bench has become extremely familiar this season.
A proposed rule change in the Premier League could give Donny, who has made just three appearances for United so far this season, and other perennial substitutes, a much better chance of getting on the pitch.
Alongside others who are out of favour with manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, the 24-year-old midfielder, who has not played for United since starting the 1-0 defeat by West Ham in the Carabao Cup on September 22, has been forced to remain on the substitutes’ bench despite the team’s terrible run of form.
Although United have won just three of their last nine games, Ole has not opted to freshen up his starting line-up with fringe players, such as Donny, Jesse Lingard and Jadon Sancho.
Luckily for Donny and others like him, the rules on the number of substitutions may be about to change as the subject of increasing substitutes from three to five in the Premier League has been on the agenda over the past few years, with Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp particularly vocal in support of the idea.
An increase to five changes, which was introduced on a temporary basis in May 2020 in response to the coronavirus pandemic and the congested fixture list, was later dropped by the Premier League for the 2020/21 season, although it remains an option for managers in European competitions, FA Cup and Carabao Cup.
After a key development yesterday, that temporary measure could become permanent for the Premier League.
The football and technical advisory panels of the International Football Association Board (IFAB) have now officially recommended five substitutes become the norm after reviewing the evidence, saying in a statement that the current “football environment” meant the change was needed.
While critics believe five substitutions will increase the gap between the top sides and the rest, due to their greater squad depth, it should come as a relief for Donny as the addition of five substitutes would at least give him a better chance of getting on the pitch.
Since arriving last summer from Ajax in a £35 mil (RM199.6 mil) deal, the Dutch international has made just four starts in the Premier League, compared to 16 sub appearances.
Donny may have some hope of getting a shot at being involved in Saturday’s game against Tottenham after sitting out of United’s 5-0 humiliation at the hands of Liverpool on Sunday. – Agencies, October 28, 2021