Since the appointment of Ralf Rangnick as interim manager at Manchester United, there has been much speculation in England about the new role of Donny van de Beek. The midfielder did not have to count on much playing time under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, while he immediately appeared at kick-off against Villarreal in the Champions League after his dismissal. According to Manchester Evening News it is interesting to see what Rangnick will do with the role of Van de Beek.
There was much astonishment in England when interim manager Michael Carrick surprisingly placed Cristiano Ronaldo on the bench against Chelsea (1-1) last Sunday and tried out a new system with three defensive-minded midfielders. Van de Beek therefore once again had to settle for a role as a substitute. The Dutchman started on the bench and was brought in by Carrick two minutes before the end. Wrongly, writes the Manchester Evening News. “Donny deserved to start against Chelsea in the starting line-up.”
“He showed against Watford that he can score as a substitute and was at the forefront of pressure against Villarreal. He was then the link between midfield and attack in the 4-2-3-1 system. United would go against Arsenal. (Thurs night, ed.) have to operate a 4-3-3 system, with Sancho, Ronaldo – a real striker instead of a false nine – and Rashford leading the way, but for that to pay off, United need someone who can play for the connection with the midfield. Van de Beek should be that man.”
According to the daily, Solskjaer’s departure is ‘a lifeline for Van de Beek to revive his career at Old Trafford’. It is expected that Van de Beek will have more opportunities under the new manager. “United has been struggling for some time with the offensive intentions at Old Trafford. With Van de Beek you add more attacking qualities to your team, so that they can cause more threat from an attacking point of view. Van de Beek has it in him to go from sixteen to sixteen to run, forcing two of the three controlling midfielders (Matic, Fred or McTominay) to defuse the counterattack.”
According to the paper, Rangnick has yet to determine how he wants United to play and who the mainstays should become. “But with his performances against Watford and Villarreal, Van de Beek not only fulfilled his own promise, he also gave United something extra. £40million signing. Rangnick will have his own thoughts about it, but a choice for Van de Beek would give United more punch in a 4-3-3 system. It can be a first step to get the fans behind the team again.”