Van de Beek still has Man Utd future under Ten Hag

FT Desk

21 Aug 2022 10:08 BST
3 min read

Donny van de Beek, Manchester United, 2021/22 — © ProShots

Donny van de Beek is yet to start a competitive game under Erik ten Hag, but that doesn't mean there is no future at Manchester United for the Dutch international midfielder.

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Van de Beek has endured a torrid time since swapping Ten Hag's Ajax for United in 2020, starting just four league games before his ill-fated loan spell at Everton in the second half of last season.

The Red Devils have started this season poorly - losing 2-1 to Brighton and then 4-0 at Brentford - while ten Hag has fielded each of Scott McTominay, Fred, Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen ahead of Van de Beek in central midfield roles.

We now go live to Donny van de Beek: pic.twitter.com/WIGGHQ5IQn
— Football Transfers (@Transfersdotcom) April 21, 2022

With the imminent €82 million arrival of Casemiro from Real Madrid, competition for places isn't about to get any lighter, but Ten Hag is nonetheless planning with Van de Beek.

"Ajax have been told there is no chance of taking Donny van de Beek back to Holland - because Erik ten Hag is convinced he can still play a key role at Manchester United," The Sun write of the Dutch side's attempts to take the player back on loan.

Confidence shot

"The Old Trafford manager was shocked at how far Van de Beek's confidence has dropped since he was his gaffer in Amsterdam."

Van de Beek contributed 41 goals and 34 assists in 175 games in his five years in Ajax's first team, winning the Dutch domestic treble in 2019, and Ten Hag is confident he can get the best out of his player once again - in time.

Van de Beek's performances in training have reportedly been encouraging, and Ten Hag has told him that he can still make a big impression in England with the best of his career still ahead of him at 25.

Ajax had been hopeful United would subsidise Van de Beek's £100,000/€118,000 per week salary should he return to the Johan Cruyff Arena. A move could happen in January, but for now Ten Hag wants to see what Van de Beek can do.