Erik ten Hag feels Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek “can do better” after recent appearances
Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag feels Donny van de Beek “can do better” for the Red Devils in the middle of the park. However, the Dutch manager believes the Holland international has done well in the chances he has been afforded this season.
The 25-year-old has had an injury-plagued campaign so far. He featured for some minutes for the Old Trafford side in the initial stages of the campaign. However, fitness issues have seen him miss a big chunk of the 2022/23 season.
Van de Beek got his first minutes since coming on in the final minutes against Liverpool in the 2-1 victory against Sheriff Tiraspol at Old Trafford.
The Holland international got his first start for United since December of last year against Real Sociedad in the Europa League in San Sebastian. The midfielder played a little under an hour for us before being substituted.
However, the 25-year-old was underwhelming against the Spanish opposition in the 1-0 victory. He was unable to affect the game in a meaningful capacity.
Speaking to the media via Manchester Evening News, Ten Hag has urged Van de Beek to do more in the final third. And the Dutch manager is of the opinion that the midfielder has the ability to do more for the Red Devils.
“I know he can do better because I know (him) very well, but he delivered what I expected in terms of positioning and also pressing, in terms of transition. But I think he can do more and that’s his biggest quality – he can be more of a threat to an opponent’s goal.”
The 25-year-old made his move to Manchester in the summer of 2020. Prior to that, the Holland international played under Ten Hag at Ajax and thrived.
Van de Beek has not been particularly successful during his time at United. In the previous campaign, the midfielder rarely made an appearance for the Red Devils and subsequently went out on a short loan spell to Everton.
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With the arrival of the Dutch manager in the Old Trafford dugout, some fans expected the 25-year-old to find some form. However, it remains to be seen whether the Holland international is able to revive his career in Manchester.
