Manchester United have lost the first three league games of the season by an aggregate score of 11-4.
During these matches, when Bruno Fernandes and Donny van de Beek have been on the pitch at the same time, the score has been 2-2.
It is a far smaller sample size, but it does highlight that there may be more value for United in getting more out of Donny van de Beek.
The two matches Van de Beek has started in the Carabao Cup have resulted in wins for United.
This has helped him settle in, and with a goal and an assist to his name already, Van de Beek has shown he has adapted quickly to English football and deserves more game time.
United owe it to him. The Dutchman signed for £39 million this summer and he is fresh.
Not using him as a Premier League starter has been an error from Solsjkaer.
Van de Beek arrived fresh after resting from March onwards due to lockdown and cancellation of the Dutch league, and then had six friendly matches for Ajax in July and August to get up to speed, plus international matches.
Solskjaer went with Paul Pogba instead, despite an intense schedule for him between July and August, and an early September coronavirus infection. The results on the pitch have not been good.
Play Fernandes and Van de Beek together
Getting Van de Beek into the team has to be a priority now, but it has to be at Pogba’s expense and not Fernandes.
Fernandes has made way for Van de Beek in Carabao Cup matches, with Van de Beek picking up the attacking midfield role.
But it makes no sense to drop United’s best creative player, who the club committed a fee of £67 million to sign back in January.
Solskjaer must find a way to get both players on the pitch, whether this be in a midfield three, or a four.
Adjusting to a diamond could allow both players plus Paul Pogba onto the pitch together. It’s an option, but it doesn’t have to be the option.
What Solskjaer needs, is Van de Beek and Fernandes on the pitch together, with the formation almost secondary at this point.
It may take a bit of experimentation, but if United can find a way for Van de Beek and Fernandes to play regularly together, the team as a whole, and results, will be better for it.
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