Paul Scholes believes Donny van de Beek is suited to a deeper role in Manchester United’s midfield.
The Dutchman was given a rare start as Ole Gunnar Solskjaer’s put Istanbul Basaksehir to the sword with a 4-1 win at Old Trafford on Tuesday night.
Unlike in previous outings when Van de Beek has played in a no.10 position, the Dutchman was deployed in a deeper, box-to-box role alongside Fred.
It proved successful as Van de Beek played an instrumental part in an impressive first half from United, who put three past their Turkish opponents before taking their foot off the gas.
The 23-year-old has played at the base of midfield, in a box-to-box role, as a no.10 and as a winger during his career.
Such flexibility has meant the Dutchman has failed to tie down a consistent position but Scholes believes Van de Beek is suited to playing as a no.6.
Asked about Van de Beek’s best position, Scholes said: ‘It’s a good question, you have to say where he played tonight is his best position.
‘I think he’s good enough at that [the defensive work]. I think he’ll be willing to try to do that.
‘It won’t be the defensive quality he brings, the quality he’ll bring is the link-up play between the forward players which is important.’
Van de Beek will be hoping his performance was enough to convince Solskjaer that he should start against Southampton on Sunday.
The Dutchman insists he’s happy to play in a variety of positions and says it’s completely up to the manager.
‘It was really good,’ Van de Beek told MUTV.
‘Some games I play No.10, sometimes the coach needs me in the control position, that’s fine for me, sometimes in Ajax I was also playing in that position so it’s OK.’
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