'Really good': Erik ten Hag 'looking forward' to working with £35m Man Utd star

Manchester United manager Erik ten Hag has said that he is looking forward to working again with midfielder Donny van de Beek.

The 52-year-old had his first press conference as United boss today, and one of the questions involved Van de Beek, who he formerly managed at Ajax.

In his response, Ten Hag said that he had a ‘really good’ relationship with the 25-year-old and is ‘looking forward’ to meeting him again.

He told reporters via Football Daily: “I had a really good relationship with him, I’m looking forward to meeting him again on the pitch.”

Our view:

Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford with a big reputation in 2020. The Red Devils spent around £35 million to prise him away from Ajax.

It was anticipated that he would become a key player in the centre of the park, but this has hardly been the case over the past few years.

Former boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer was not particularly keen on landing him, but the hierarchy took the chance due to the low transfer fee.

The Norwegian barely played him in the Premier League and the trend continued when Ralf Rangnick became interim manager in December 2021.

Hence, it was the right decision for Van de Beek to move out on loan to Everton. He may now have a fresh lease of life with the Red Devils.

The midfielder is well versed with Ten Hag’s high pressing style of football, having worked with him for three-and-a-half years at Ajax.

Ten Hag will also be aware of the strengths and weaknesses of the Netherlands international, who should be ideal for his tactical system.

Whether Van de Beek can redeem himself remains to be seen. He should be fancied to receive more starts to prove his credentials at the club.

Stats from Transfermarkt.com

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