Ten Hag says Van de Beek will get chances to play once fit

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Erik ten Hag was asked about Donny van de Beek ahead of Manchester United’s clash with Everton this weekend.

Van de Beek spent the second half of last season on loan with the Toffees under Frank Lampard but it did not work out as planned.

He struggled to establish himself in the Everton side, but the summer arrival of his former Ajax boss raised hopes he may finally get a chance to shine at United.

That has not been the case with Van de Beek yet to start a United game this season, and he is now injured and not back in full training with the team yet.

Ten Hag on Van de Beek

Ten Hag conducted his pre-Everton press conference after the 3-2 Europa League win over Omonia Nicosia, sharing that Van de Beek was out of the game and then fielding a follow-up question about his United prospects.

He said: “He had a muscle injury and so it takes him a couple of weeks. He’s now back on the training grass so he’s outside doing his work but still individually. He’s not returned to team training so we have to wait for that moment.

“He has to be fit. Obviously, that is a disadvantage. He has now been here for two-and-a-half years. He had pre-season, that was quite okay, then his chances will come.

“When he came on against Brighton, he came on as a sub and did very well but you have to be available and when you are not available you cannot get a place in the first XI. Now he has to make sure he gets fit and fights for his position.”

Even during pre-season, when United had not yet signed Christian Eriksen, Ten Hag preferred to use Fred alongside Scott McTominay in midfield.

Van de Beek was fully fit then, but he did not even get the chance to try and audition for a starting spot under his new manager.

Most of his minutes came as a substitute, when he was playing alongside a United second string, with plenty of young players in there getting experience.

If Ten Hag, the man who oversaw his development at Ajax, does not come in and give Van de Beek a chance, his prospects look bleak.

It remains to be seen if he will get chances – he has to get himself fit first – and if he does, it is then down to Van de Beek to take them.