Ten Hag hints at the position Van de Beek could play for Man United next season

Van de Beek has endured a torrid time at Old Trafford since arriving from Ten Hag's former club Ajax in 2020.

He played a bit-part role under former manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer resulting in a six-month loan spell at Everton last season, however, injuries made it a temporary move to forget.

Just as it looked as though the £40million Dutch midfielder was surplus to requirements at Old Trafford, United's appointment of Ten Hag has put a different spin on the 25-year-old's future and he now could play an important part in Man United's renaissance.

Van de Beek appears to have been handed a second chance to resurrect his Red Devils career and Ten Hag believes he can be best utilised in a more advanced role because he 'smells' opportunities in attacking areas.

"Donny van de Beek's best position is his capabilities in the box of opponent," Ten Hag told reporters upon the team's arrival in Australia ahead of three scheduled pre-season fixtures Down Under.

"Playing short behind a striker, he has a really good smell for being in the right position.

"I think Manchester United has a huge potential, and really good players. We have experienced players, but also a lot of young guys, young boys, who have a lot of potential. Now it's to get the potential out and therefore we have to work really hard."

The move could impact Bruno Fernandes, who currently occupies a similar role in the team as Ten Hag opts to find the right balance in his new side.

United kicked off their pre-season preparations in superb fashion, thrashing arch-rivals Liverpool 4-0 in Bangkok on July 12.

Goals from Jadon Sancho, Fred, Anthony Martial and academy star Facundo Pellistri swept aside the FA Cup and Carabao Cup holders and despite Sancho impressing on the left, Ten Hag wants more from his team and an increased threat from all across the pitch.

"I was really happy to see we have a good left side but we always have a threat on the right, as we did against Liverpool. That was good to see," Ten Hag added.

"You want to have weapons. When it is only on one side, it is predictable. We want to develop over two sides. It has to be on the right and the middle. We have to come from everywhere."

Man United play Melbourne Victory on July 15 followed by two games against Premier League duo Crystal Palace and Aston Villa as the Dutch manager steps up his side's preparations for the opening weekend trip to Brighton.

Despite a solid start to pre-season, Man United still have plenty to resolve ahead of the 2022/23 season's kick-off with the signings of Ajax defender Lisandro Martinez and Barcelona's Frenkie de Jong still not over the line.

The ongoing saga involving the future of Cristiano Ronaldo continues to drag on with the Portuguese star still not returning to pre-season training due to a family matter.