Man United boss Ten Hag faces huge decision on player’s future

After a disastrous start to his tenure as Manchester United manager, Erik ten Hag has overseen a dramatic upturn in his side’s form of late. 

The Red Devils lost both of their first two matches – against Brighton and Brentford – by an aggregate score of 6-1, but since then they have won all four league matches.

United now sit fifth in the table, above both Chelsea and Liverpool, and Ten Hag has been ale to get a tune out of several of his star players.

One player that remains largely an outcast at the club, though, is Donny van de Beek.

The Netherlands international has endured a tough time at Old Trafford so far, starting just five Premier League games since joining in 2020.

It had been suggested that the midfielder would benefit from Ten Hag’s arrival as the pair had worked together at former club Ajax, but so far that hasn’t been the case.

The next month could prove crucial for Van de Beek

The 25-year-old hasn’t started a single match so far this season, and has played a total of just 19 minutes in the league.

According to The Manchester Evening News, the next month could prove pivotal in determining the player’s future.

United are scheduled to play nine games in October including matches in the league, Europa League and League Cup.

With that in mind, Ten Hag is expected to utilise the Dutchman far more than he has been used previously.

United face Manchester City, Chelsea and Tottenham over the course over the month and, while Ten Hag may not want to rotate his squad for the bigger games, Van de Beek will hope to be involved in the Europa League games against Omonia and Real Sociedad.

As suggested by the report, if the player continues to be snubbed, it would appear that his time at United is already all-but-over.

Van de Beek was one of Ten Hag’s star players during Ajax’s run to the Champions League final in 2019, but his time in Manchester has been far from ideal.

The midfielder was sent out on loan to Everton in January and started six league matches for The Toffees, although his time on Merseyside was hindered by a thigh injury that sidelined him for two months.