The jury is still out whether Donny van de Beek is good enough for Manchester United. Overlooked by two managers but set to be given a fresh chance by Erik ten Hag, who he has worked with previously, I think most fans are unsure of the midfielder’s best role in the team.
Is he a number 8, holding midfielder or someone who plays box-to-box? Whatever Van de Beek is, I’m certain that neither Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or Ralf Rangnick felt they could justify a place in the team for him. That’s why they didn’t play him.
Asked about Van de Beek’s best role by a reporter in Melbourne, Erik ten Hag gave an insight into his vision of how the Netherlands international should play in his team.
“He can do both [play deep and high], I know that from the past,” Ten Hag said, as quoted by the Manchester Evening News.
“His best position is in the box of the opponent and playing just behind the striker. He has a really good smell for being in the right position.
Van de Beek came on in the second half of United’s 4-0 win against Liverpool on Tuesday.
His overall performance were underwhelming but it was everyone’s first game back and any critical analysis should be deemed harsh.
That said, we had several players perform well, and I hope to report the same on Friday when United take on Melbourne Victory.
