Manchester United have been given an easy decision on Donny van de Beek
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Luke Shaw both sang Van de Beek's praises after he impressed in Man Utd's friendly vs Aston Villa.
by Dominic BoothThere was a degree of doubt, when Manchester United signed Donny van de Beek, over whether they truly needed him, whether it was £35million well spent.
While it was undoubtedly true, and remains the case, that more pressing needs existed elsewhere in the transfer market, it only took 90 minutes of a low-key pre-season friendly defeat to Aston Villa to prove the argument against Van de Beek was folly.
Jadon Sancho's name will continue to dominate the headlines as United look to address their need for another elite right-winger, but they may have signed a gem in the former Ajax playmaker.
Many of the more justified questions, when Van de Beek signed, were over his strongest position. Was he arriving as Nemanja Matic's heir in the defensive midfield role? Or was he another Ole Gunnar Solskjaer signing in the attacking midfield role, to compete with Bruno Fernandes? Or could Van de Beek be a player more accustomed to a box-to-box role?
With Solskjaer picking the Dutchman alongside Scott McTominay in a double-pronged midfield base against Villa, it appeared the Norwegian was grooming Van de Beek for a deeper role. In the end, he played a little in all three positions. His versatility is one of his main assets and it was clear in the space of 90 minutes that United need to utilise all his skills.
As well as looking classy in possession, as one crafty turn that went viral on social media showed, Van de Beek was all energy and discipline too. He looked a reliable presence both on and off the ball.
Okay, it was only a friendly, but performing the way Van de Beek did against a Premier League opponent at full strength, seems to have booked him a spot in the first 11 to face Crystal Palace next week. Especially when you consider some of his rivals, Fred, Matic Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes have hardly trained.
Any fears that Van de Beek may need an adjustment period should be put to bed, with Luke Shaw's post-match verdict very telling.
"Really good. It's all about minutes and he got that," Shaw said after playing alongside Van de Beek against Villa, with the pair dovetailing nicely in the inside-left channel, along with Marcus Rashford and Daniel James who both spent time on that side.
Shaw also noticed how straightforward Van de Beek's transition into life at United has been.
He added: "He hasn't been with us long, obviously he was another who was on international [duty], so he's done really well considering he's only trained with us for two days.
"The most important thing is him getting to know the players, knowing how each other play. We've got a whole week now to slot him in, but so far so good, he's a really nice guy and I'm sure he'll fit in great."
Solskjaer echoed those thoughts, calling Van de Beek the 'biggest plus' from an otherwise lacklustre outfield performance.
Sign up to our free MUFC newsletter for the latest Jadon Sancho transfer news
Want the lowdown and insight on Jadon Sancho and United's transfer moves? Get the latest breaking Manchester United news and analysis every day direct to your inbox with our free MUFC newsletter
Sign up here - it only takes a few seconds.
When United signed Van de Beek, the issue looked to be how on earth they would squeeze their new arrival into a midfield that was already bursting with options. Now, partially as a result of his Aston Villa display but also because of the strange circumstances surrounding the new season, the 23-year-old should be the first name on the teamsheet.
The challenge instead for Solskjaer will be introducing Pogba and Fernandes into the side alongside Van de Beek, and finding a system that suits all three of them.
Dimitar Berbatov recently suggested the three should play together as the central trio in a 4-2-3-1. Perhaps, in time, they will. But for now United should be content that Van de Beek has given them an easy decision to make ahead of the Palace game next week.