Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has known Donny Van De Beek since 2015

DBasia.news – Manchester United manager, Ole Gunnar Solskjaer insists that Donny van de Beek is not a product of panic buying like the circulating rumors suggested. He said he had been interested in the quality of the 23-year-old player for some time.

It turned out that Van de Beek had stolen Solskjaer’s attention since 2015 when the manager was still working with Molde. The two had met as opponents in a match.

The moment in question was the match between Ajax Amsterdam and Molde in the 2015-2016 Europa League group phase, December 2015. In the match that ended with a score of 1-1, Van de Beek scored one goal.

Interestingly, this match was the second time Van de Beek appeared in the Ajax senior team. The goal against Molde was also the first he scored for the Ajax senior team.

Solskjaer admitted that his memory regarding Van de Beek’s performance in that match was very memorable. Apart from scoring goals, the blonde haired player also appeared determined and showed character of a fighter.

“The first goal he scored against my Molde side in the Europa League was in 2015. He scored a fantastic header,” Solskjaer told the BBC’s Football Daily podcast.

“He also gored my center-back at the time, so he was brave! I liked his attitude.”

Therefore, Solskjaer did not want to miss the opportunity to obtain Van de Beek this summer. Even though the player almost left for Real Madrid.

Solskjaer believes Van de Beek will make a positive impact on the play of his team. Manchester United does need additional quality players to compete in the race for the title.

“We have signed Donny and he is the type of player I think we need in the squad. He is the type of person who fits the culture, fits into the team and improves our quality next season and in the years to come,” he concluded.