Manchester United Rumors: Red Devils Devising New Strategy For Rising Star, Report Says

Following a rough start this Premier League season, Manchester United and new signing Donny van de Beek are expected to come up with new strategies.

United wants to make the most out of Van de Beek and has decided to put the former Ajax star on a “special training program” to bulk up, Manchester Evening News reported, citing unnamed sources.

According to the report, unnamed sources close to Van de Beek revealed that the Dutchman has been cooperative with United’s plans for him and “will play wherever the coach needs him,” specifically the left wing.

United boss Ole Gunnar Solskjaer previously expressed admiration for Van de Beek’s versatility and hinted at the possibility of moving the player in different positions if necessary.

“I think he can play loads of different positions which sometimes is a strength for a player,” Solskajer told reporters of Van de Beek after the 3-0 Carabao Cup win over Brighton on Oct. 1, Goal reported. “I remember myself sometimes right-wing, left-wing, center forward, 10 and Donny I think is one of those that the coach would always love to have in their squad.”

The Norwegian manager is also confident about Van de Beek’s intelligence and thinks that the midfielder wouldn’t find it difficult to play in other areas.

“He [Van de Beek] knows football and all the conversations I’ve had with him, you can see he’s got his head screwed on,” he added. “He’s a different type of left-sided player compared to Dan James and Marcus Rashford of course. But coming inside there, finding good pockets, making good runs – yeah why not.”

The Red Devils missed out on Borussia Dortmund star Jadon Sancho in the summer, but the club managed to secure a deal for Van de Beek from Ajax. Since joining United in September, the 23-year-old has been in the spotlight but has not yet been able to impress fans. In fact, Van de Beek has already been receiving criticism less than a month after joining the Red Devils.

Solskjaer, however, came to his defense and insisted that he has been helpful to the team.

"I think you show quite a bit of disrespect to Donny when you say he was the only one, because he is a top player, and he strengthens our team," the United coach earlier said at a news conference, ESPN reported.

Van de Beek will still compete for playing time with United’s primary midfielder, Paul Pogba, as the team decided to extend the superstar’s contract. However, there’s a possibility that Van de Beek may finally make his first Premier League start for United Saturday against Newcastle as Pogba has yet to regain rhythm as a starter.