Erik ten Hag has hinted he will use Donny van de Beek in an attacking midfield role as the Dutchman bids to revive his compatriot’s Manchester United career.
United paid Ajax £40million for Van de Beek in the summer of 2020 but the 25-year-old was starved of opportunities to impress under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
Van de Beek was equally underwhelming during a loan spell at Everton during the second half of last season but knows Ten Hag well after they worked together at Ajax.
And the new United boss suggested that Van de Beek could occupy a similar position to Bruno Fernandes, the side’s established No 10.
Speaking ahead of Friday’s friendly with Melbourne Victory, ten Hag said: ‘He can do both [sit deep and play further forward] – I know that from the past.
‘But his best position is his capabilities in the box of the opponents, so playing short behind the striker.
‘He has a really good smell for being in the right position.’
Van de Beek started just four Premier League matches during his first season at United, making do with cameo appearances from the bench with Fernandes one of the first names on the teamsheet.
Chances to impress were at a premium last season as well, leading to a loan spell at Goodison Park that was wrecked by a thigh injury.
Ten Hag played Van de Beek during the second-half of Tuesday’s 4-0 win over Liverpool in Bangkok, replacing Fernandes at half-time.
Having started pre-season in encouraging fashion against Liverpool, United are now in Australia for three-matches.
They take on A-League side Victory at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Friday and then play Crystal Palace at the same venue on Tuesday before heading to Perth to face Aston Villa on July 23.
A friendly with Atletico Madrid in Oslo on July 30 and then Rayo Vallecano at Old Trafford the following day round off their pre-season before the Premier League begins at home to Brighton on August 7.