Donny van de Beek returns to Manchester United training after missing Euro 2020 with Holland and shares a smile with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer… as Dutchman looks to make impact after difficult debut campaign at Old Trafford
- Donny van de Beek made his first appearance at Carrington after a layoff
- The midfielder missed the Netherlands’ Euro 2020 campaign with a groin injury
- He made only four Premier League starts last season after a £40m move
- The former Ajax man could get more opportunities if United change formation
Donny van de Beek made a welcome return to Manchester United training on Monday ahead of a huge second campaign at the club for the Dutchman.
The midfielder had missed the start of pre-season and United’s two friendlies with Derby County and QPR as he was still recovering from a groin injury.
Van de Beek picked up the injury while preparing for the start of Euro 2020 with the Netherlands and cruelly missed the tournament.
Donny van de Beek was back in training for the first time since hurting his groin in June
Van de Beek was back alongside his team mates after missing the start of the pre-season
The injury deepened a disappointing last 12 months for the 24-year-old, who barely got the chance to prove himself in his first season at Old Trafford following a £40million move from Ajax as he made only four Premier League starts.
But he was in good spirits on his first day back at United’s Carrington training ground and was seen smiling and deep in conversation with Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Dutchman made only four Premier League starts for United in a difficult first season
Van de Beek rarely got a look in Solskjaer’s starting 11 as the Norwegian favoured a consistent 4-2-3-1 formation, fielding Scott McTominay and Fred together in a double holding midfield pivot 28 times over the season.
Van de Beek made his name in European football operating on the left of a midfield three with Ajax but his hopes for the coming season should be lifted if reports of Solskjaer changing his formation are to be believed.
ESPN reported last week that the coach is considering shaking up his team’s shape and give them a more attacking outlook now that they have signed Jadon Sancho.
The club are also on the verge of sealing a move for Raphael Varane, a ball-playing centre half the club have lacked for some time and who will be crucial to their plans of playing a midfield three.
United were back in training following Saturday’s surprise 4-2 defeat to QPR in a friendly
