Former Manchester United captain Rio Ferdinand has claimed that Donny van de Beek could be "too nice" to make it at the club.

The 24-year-old has struggled to make his mark for the Red Devils since arriving from Ajax in September 2020, and he has only played six minutes of Premier League football this season.

Van de Beek recently showed his frustration at not being introduced during his side's Champions League clash with Villarreal at the end of September.

However, Ferdinand has claimed that the midfielder's "relaxed" personality could cost him the chance to carve out a successful career with the 20-time English champions.

"I think the big thing with Donny van de Beek – and he's a great guy, we've had him on the show before – he's a really calm, relaxed guy," Ferdinand said on his FIVE YouTube channel.

"I think this is a funny situation because if he was a bad guy and he was volatile and he was loud, he'd be gone. He wouldn't be at Man United.

"And sometimes when you're too nice maybe, or you're nice about a situation and you're polite, you might not get the situation that you really require for yourself. And I think that's probably the problem for someone like Donny van de Beek."

Van de Beek, who continues to be linked with a January exit, has managed one goal and two assists in 39 appearances for Man United in all competitions.