‘I can play everywhere!’ - Van de Beek opens up on his Man Utd role

Donny van de Beek believes his versatility will prove a valuable asset in his hopes of establishing himself in the Manchester United line-up.

Van de Beek completed a €39m transfer to Manchester United in the current transfer window despite rumored interest from Barcelona.

The 23-year-old is regarded as one of Europe’s most exciting young midfielders, having displayed great promise at Ajax. Helping the club reached the 2018/19 Champions League semi-finals shot him to stardom.

A new chapter, and even greater challenges, now await Van de Beek at Old Trafford. Ole Gunnar Solskjaer may value him, but breaking into the Norwegian’s line-up is another matter. Especially when his primary competition is Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes for a central role in midfield.

Nonetheless, the Dutch star is confident his versatility will prove a uself aid in his Red Devils career.

“I play everywhere on the midfield, last season also I changed a lot – sometimes No.6, No.8, No.10,” Van de Beek told Astro SuperSport.

“It doesn’t matter so much. But I think one of my strengths is to come in the box and score goals, make assists. If you have this freedom then you can play everywhere I think.

“The balance also always has to be good in the team, so you cannot have every midfielder go [forward] – you have to play smart.”

The former Ajax man played the full match of United’s 1-0 pre-season friendly defeat to Aston Villa last weekend. He partnered Scott McTominay in central midfield and pleased Solskjaer with his overall display.

On what the Red Devils boss has advised him of late, Van de Beek added: “He said that, ‘One of your strengths is to go in the box and to make your runs – I want to see this from you because it’s one of your qualities’.

“He said also, ‘You can talk with your teammates, somebody has to stay and the others can go’. So the balance has to be good.”

Van de Beek could make his Premier League debut this evening for Manchester United’s season opener against Crystal Palace.