Manchester United midfielder Donny van de Beek could make his first start under Erik ten Hag when their summer roadshow continues against Aston Villa on Saturday (10.45am UK time).
Rarely used two seasons on from his £40million transfer, the Netherlands international was given a huge boost this summer when his mentor and former Ajax manager, Ten Hag, was summoned to the Old Trafford hot-seat. However, the 25-year-old has, once again, been made to play the waiting game.
Scott McTominay and Fred have been preferred - from the start at least - by Ten Hag during pre-season wins over Liverpool, Melbourne Victory and Crystal Palace most recently. But that man Van de Beek has managed to make an impression from the bench - particularly with a clever assist against Palace at the world-famous MCG.
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United have moved on to Perth from their two-game stint in Melbourne and will play another Premier League side. However, there is an injury doubt for that contest after McTominay had to be withdrawn against Palace.
He did not train with his teammates in Perth and, as such, the door has been left open for Van de Beek to start in a double pivot alongside Fred. That is despite his manager, Ten Hag, suggesting the former Ajax player is perhaps better suited to operating as a number 10 in his system.
In the previous matches, United have opted to start with experience and turn to youth and fringe players at a later stage. Should he follow that approach, yet again, Ten Hag must pick between Luke Shaw and summer signing Tyrell Malacia at left-back.
Harry Maguire, Victor Lindelof and Raphael Varane - if fit - will compete for two defensive positions. United are still, meanwhile, waiting for Christian Eriksen and Lisandro Martinez to be available following their respective transfers.
Manchester United predicted line-up (4-2-3-1): De Gea; Dalot, Lindelof, Maguire, Malacia; Van de Beek, Fred; Sancho, Fernandes, Rashford; Martial.
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