Donny van de Beek at 25: Erik ten Hag's plan, worried teammates and Man Utd ultimatum

For Donny van de Beek the expectation and the reality of English football and life at Manchester United could not have been further apart.

His performances at the Johan Cruyff Arena convinced the Red Devils to part with £40m to acquire his services from Ajax. The question now, over 18 months on, is just whose signed off on that deal. A debut goal against Crystal Palace did little to further his case.

Ole Gunnar Solskjaer had recruited Bruno Fernandes just six months earlier and the Portuguese star had become the club's talisman in the No 10 role. Van de Beek showed his versatility in Holland, but arguably his best position was taken by United's go to man.

It immediately became apparent that Van de Beek was Fernandes' understudy, at best, with opportunities few and far between. This term he'd failed to start a single Premier League game, with his frustrations boiling over in the clash with Villarreal. Now though the Dutchman may have a route back in - Erik ten Hag.

It was under the 52-year-old at Ajax that Van de Beek initially excelled. Playing in a variety of roles at the Dutch side made the last four of the Champions League in 2019. The United outcast scored goals at Juventus and Tottenham, both of which highlighted his composure in front of goal.

A lack of minutes at United has seen him head out to Everton on loan. A return in the summer could herald a new beginning, with Ten Hag known to be a fan. The 25-year-old has also proven himself in a Ten Hag system and could go from regularly overlooked to a guaranteed starter.

Ten Hag has made his feelings clear on Van de Beek's lack of opportunity, having seen first-hand what he can do. Back in January, when he was merely being linked with the role in