Paul Pogba decision suggests Donny van de Beek has no Manchester United future

You have to spare a thought for Donny van de Beek and many Manchester United supporters certainly do.

It speaks volumes for the Dutchman and his character that, as he continued to be ignored by three managers, the Old Trafford faithful built-up such an affinity for a player who has only started four games in the Premier League 17 months on from his £40million switch.

And that unbreakable bond has not arisen simply from pity.

Cult heroes are often supremely gifted, inconsistent or their personalities resonate with match-goers.

In several cases, they are a loveable combination of all three of those traits.

When it comes to van de Beek, the reality is that nobody knows whether or not he could have been a solution for that glaring problem in the engine room. Promised so much more than Ole Gunnar Solskjaer - or even Ralf Rangnick - have provided him, the Ajax graduate remains a curious case of what might have been.

He is not a cult hero in the truest sense, nor is he a transfer flop.

Ultimately, his relationship with United supporters - which has been highlighted by well-wishes and eagerness to follow his early progress at Everton - stems from how the midfielder has conducted himself.

No moaning, no complaining. Amid his bizarre treatment, Van de Beek pulled his socks up and got on with it.

Then when Saturday came, the Netherlands international took a front row seat and watched countless below-par displays unfold in front of his very eyes. They were the same events those dedicated supporters who continued to clamour for him were observing. Collectively they were powerless to help.

Although it comes with question marks, there is mitigation for his lack of game-time during that first season.

Bruno Fernandes was still riding the