Erik ten Hag decides on Donny van de Beek … Insists he has a role to play at Manchester United next season

Following the appointment of Erik ten Hag, Donny van de Beek is “expected to play a part” for Manchester United, according to reports.

Since leaving Ajax for Manchester United in 2020, things have not gone according to plan for van de Beek. In his first season with the club, the midfielder only made four Premier League appearances.

Then, in the first half of the 2021-22 season, he failed to start a single league game. Manchester United then loaned him to Everton, where he appeared five times in the league from the start.

The temporary switch did not exactly help van de Beek’s prospects in the way that everyone had hoped. As he returns to his parent club, he is at a career crossroads.

He is under contract with United until 2025. They are unlikely to recoup the £35 million fees they spent on him two years ago, and his future with the club may be in doubt.

Erik ten Hag has Donny van de Beek in his plans for next season, as things stand. Been told he’s now expected to play a role in Manchester United team. 🔴🇳🇱 #MUFC

📲 More on Donny and Man Utd plans: https://t.co/CX91hxSaAu pic.twitter.com/dttvDLXRgv

— Fabrizio Romano (@FabrizioRomano) June 5, 2022

The appointment of Ten Hag as United’s future manager, on the other hand, has given van de Beek new optimism. During their time at Ajax, the two collaborated richly.

In his career, Van de Beek has played more games for Ten Hag than any other coach. The midfielder rewarded his management with 32 goals and 29 assists in 110 appearances for Ajax.

It was the pinnacle of van de Beek’s football career. Now he needs a fresh start, which could mean returning to Manchester.

van de Beek has a place in Ten Hag’s plans for his colleague at Old Trafford, according to Fabrizio Romano.

Romano tweeted: “Erik ten Hag has Donny van de Beek in his plans for next season, as things stand. Been told he’s now expected to play a role in Manchester United team.”

Van van Beek’s third season will have to be better

The scenario could change depending on Man United’s other plans. For the time being, the 25-year-old can consider returning to United for a third season.

He’ll be hoping for a bigger success than the previous two. Working with Ten Hag once more might give him a fresh lease on life.

Fabrizio says he's been told that Donny van de Beek is in Erik ten Hag's plans and will be an important player for Man Utd next season.

2 years after signing him in 2020, his Man Utd career will finally start in 2022.

It's Donny time 🇳🇱 pic.twitter.com/adLBTy0l9F

— UF (@UtdFaithfuls) June 5, 2022

The strain of representing a team with such a high profile as Man United, though, will remain. As a result, van de Beek will have to work hard to earn his new manager’s trust.

This will be a key season in his career at his age. Man United will be hoping for whatever improvement in his form he can achieve.