Real Sociedad 'contact Manchester United over Donny van de Beek deal'

Since leaving Ajax for Old Trafford in 2020, Van de Beek has endured a frustrating period of his career due to failing to impress different managers and sustaining a serious knee injury.

As a result, the Netherlands international has made just 60 appearances for United in all competitions, a further seven outings coming during a 2021-22 loan stint at Everton.

Van de Beek has since returned from a long spell on the sidelines to feature in three of United's pre-season friendlies, scoring the only goal against Lyon on July 19 and providing two assists in a 3-2 defeat to Borussia Dortmund at the weekend.

Nevertheless, despite accumulating 134 minutes during the summer thus far, the 26-year-old remains down the pecking order under Erik ten Hag.

At a time when United are in the market for a new central midfielder, Ten Hag must decide whether to hand Van de Beek more opportunities or part ways with his former Ajax player.

According to transfer expert Fabrizio Romano, Sociedad have provided United with the chance to press ahead with the latter as they look to strengthen their squad ahead of a return to the Champions League.

Romano says that formal talks have now been held between the relevant parties after Sociedad initially gauged the interest in a deal from the player's side.

United are seemingly yet to make a decision over if they are open to offers for Van de Beek or what they deem to be acceptable terms this summer.

The Red Devils are not in a position to generate anywhere close to the £40m that they shelled out three years ago, while Van de Beek is unlikely to have interest in a contract renewal.

As it stands, Sociedad have only added Rennes defender Hamari Traore to Imanol Alguacil's squad for the upcoming campaign, and forward Andre Silva is also expected to arrive from RB Leipzig.

Nevertheless, there is pressure to add a creative midfielder to their ranks due to the retirement of David Silva, who opted to end his career last month after suffering a serious knee injury.

Silva chipped in with three goals and seven assists from 34 appearances last season, highlighting the void that is currently left in Alguacil's plans.