Erik ten Hag’s patience may already be wearing thin with Donny van de Beek

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Erik ten Hag’s show of faith in Donny van de Beek failed to pay off in Manchester United’s 3-1 defeat against Aston Villa.

With Bruno Fernandes ruled out due to suspension, United’s number 34 was handed his first Premier League start since March when he was on loan at Everton.

Prior to today’s start at Villa Park, the 25-year-old’s last top-flight start for the Red Devils came on the last day of the 2020-21 campaign against Wolves at Molineux.

Having been given his first start of the season against Real Sociedad on Thursday night, his former Ajax manager handed him his second start in the space of four days.

Ten Hag’s patience may already be wearing thin with Donny van de Beek

It says a lot about the qualities that Van de Beek brings to the United side that Ten Hag has so often lauded his work out of possession, or his movement off the ball.

There was the odd sporadic run in-behind, but for an attacking midfielder it does seem that Van de Beek’s qualities with the ball at his feet are quite limited.

He cannot hit a long raking pass like the likes of Casemiro, Christian Eriksen and Fernandes. His best work comes in tight areas where he can play intricate one and two touch passes.

Despite playing close to Cristiano Ronaldo for the second game running, there was no sign of a partnership or understanding forming between the pair.

Ten Hag will be hoping that his fellow countryman can rekindle the form he showed in Amsterdam, but his chances to impress could well be running out.

In 65 minutes of action in Birmingham, the Netherlands international managed just 18 touches.

When Fernandes is occupying the number ten role he looks to go and impose himself on the match, but it’s hard to envisage how Van de Beek can do similar with his skill set.

He’ll be hoping for a third straight start come Thursday night when Villa head to the Theatre of Dreams in the Carabao Cup.

Like Ten Hag, the majority of Manchester United fans will be hoping Van de Beek can reignite his stagnating career at Old Trafford, but games are passing the Dutchman by and sometimes you forget he’s on the pitch.