Joining Everton on loan in January would be 'the right thing' for Donny van de Beek's career, Noel Whelan has told Football Insider.

The lowdown

He is not the only pundit who has urged the Manchester United midfielder to make the move to Goodison Park, with Alex McLeish suggesting that the 24-year-old should be willing to 'drop down' to the Toffees.

Talks were held between the player's camp, Farhad Moshiri and Marcel Brands over a potential move late in the summer transfer window but United intervened to block the transfer despite Van de Beek's lack of game-time at Old Trafford.

The £120,000-per-week Dutchman started just four Premier League games during his first season at Old Trafford and has played a mere five minutes so far this term (via WhoScored).

According to Transfermarkt, his estimated transfer value has fallen from £39.6m to £27m since he made the move to Manchester.

The latest

Whelan thinks that Van de Beek should move to Everton in search of more regular game-time, having been limited to 'bit parts' at United, and he also recalled the buzz that surrounded the 24-year-old on his arrival at Old Trafford.

When asked about the prospect of a loan switch to Rafael Benitez's side for the Dutchman, the former Leeds striker replied: "Yeah, I think that’s that’s probably the right thing.

"A player that came in with really high expectations.

"Recommended from abroad, being watched as one of the best young midfield players coming through at the time.

"He’s not really had the chance at Manchester United. It’s been bit parts."

The verdict

We shouldn't forget just how good Van de Beek was at Ajax. He was an integral part of the team which came within a whisker of reaching the Champions League final in 2019, starting all but one of their 12 games in that memorable run.

Across his final two seasons in the Eredivisie, he was directly involved in 32 goals, scoring 17 and setting up another 15 (via WhoScored).

You'd have to think Rafael Benitez would relish the opportunity to reinvigorate Van de Beek's career if he gets the opportunity to do so.

In other news, this player has been accused of disrespecting Everton.