Hargreaves Hails Manchester United Midfielder: 'He Could Be Like What Muller Is For Bayern'

Former Manchester United player Owen Hargreaves has backed Donny van de Beek to have an impact at Old Trafford similar to what legendary Thomas Muller has had at Bayern Munich.

Man Utd edged Real Madrid to bring van de Beek from Ajax to Manchester this summer transfer window, but the Dutchman has been given limited opportunities to make an impact. Even though he has started four matches for The Red Devils since his debut, including the Champions League match against RB Leipzig Wednesday, van de Beek is yet to feature in the team’s starting XI in the Premier League.

"I think he's a really good player. He hasn't had the opportunity to show it. He could be like what Thomas Muller is for Bayern Munich - the style. Everybody tried to get Thomas Muller out of the team, but once he's in, you can't get him out in terms of goals, assists, he's very unselfish, he can press the ball, he works in a midfield three, he can play as an 8 or a 10. [Van de Beek] is one of those... once he's in the team, Ole is going to find it hard to get him out," the ex-United, Bayern, and England star told BT Sport, as quoted by Goal.

With Paul Pogba and Bruno Fernandes in the squad, Hargreaves spoke about the selection dilemma Ole Gunnar Solskjaer deals with ahead of every match.

"The problem you have is: You've got £100m Pogba, Bruno Fernandes... getting them all in one team with the front three they have is going to be a challenge for Ole," he added.

The 23-year-old van de Beek, who made his senior debut with Ajax in 2015, made a mark for himself in Netherlands’ top-flight soccer league. In as many as 175 appearances for the Johan Cruijff ArenA sid, van de Beek netted 41 goals. Van de Beek made his Premier League debut in Man Utd’s season opener against Crystal Palace at home, where the young midfielder scored the Old Trafford side’s lone goal in their 1-3 loss.