Man United flop tells Erik ten Hag he 'can do a lot better' if he stays at Old Trafford

Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek has told manager Erik ten Hag that he ‘can do a lot better’ if he stays at Old Trafford this season rather signing for another club.

Van de Beek arrived at Old Trafford in 2020 after being part of Ten Hag’s Ajax side which reached the semi-finals of the UEFA Champions League, with United paying around £40million to secure the Netherlands international’s services.

Ever since then, though, Van de Beek has struggled to make himself a part of the Red Devils’ first-team. The 25-year-old has made only 27 Premier League appearances in two seasons, the majority coming from the bench, and was loaned to Everton for the latter half of the last campaign.

He only made a further seven appearances in all competitions for the Toffees, with his career having stalled significantly since arriving in England.

That has led to speculation that Van de Beek could be set for a summer transfer, but the player himself insists he can be useful to Ten Hag in his first season with\ United.

‘I can play as a 10, but also an 8,’ Van de Beek explained. ‘One of my strengths is to come in the box, make a goal or give an assist, but I like to be on the ball as well. I have to play where the team needs me.’

‘I can do a lot better, I have to take steps as well. There is always space for improvement, I’m always critical of myself, and I can help until the end. You have to be fit to make your runs, the fitness has to be good, it’s still pre-season, and we have some way to go.’

Van de Beek was also full of praise for the new United boss, whom he spent three seasons working under in Amsterdam.

‘He’s still the same, he will not change as a manager,’ Van de Beek said. ‘I see a lot of the same things as at Ajax, I think