As Manchester United's pre-season tour moved from Thailand to Australia, one player in particular looked upbeat in training in Melbourne.
Donny van de Beek has endured a difficult couple of seasons, since joining United from Ajax in 2020 for £40million.
After struggling to make an impact under Ole Gunnar Solskjaer or interim boss Ralf Rangnick, Van de Beek spent the second half of last season on loan at Everton.
That move was not a success either, with Van de Beek making just seven appearances, due to a combination of injuries and poor form when fit.
But with Van de Beek back at United now and reunited with his former boss Erik ten Hag, the 25-year-old has reason to believe his fortunes will change under a coach who knows how to get the best out of him.
Can Donny van de Beek force his way into Man Utd's first choice XI this season? Have your say in the comments section.
Ten Hag eulogised about Van de Beek in his pre-match media conference ahead of United's game against Melbourne Victory at the MCG on Friday, the second match of their pre-season tour.
Van de Beek has made just 50 appearances since joining United and has managed just two goals. But after playing the second-half of United's 4-0 win over Liverpool in Bangkok, Ten Hag opened up on his compatriot's best position.
“He can do both [sit deep and play high],” said Ten Hag. “I know that from the past. But his best position is his capabilities in the box of the opponent, so playing short behind the striker is his best role. He has a really good smell for being in the right position."
Ten Hag was also encouraged by United's attacking quartet of Bruno Fernandes, Jadon Sancho, Marcus Rashford and Anthony Martial against Liverpool, with the Dutchman keen to exploit his side's attacking threats from the flanks.
"I was really happy to see it," said Ten Hag. "We have a good left side, but I think you saw against Liverpool that we also had a threat on the right side.
"It was really good to see it because you want to have weapons. When it is only on one side it's predictable, so we want that to develop over two sides, also from the middle. We have to come from everywhere."
While the reception in Melbourne may not be as fanatic as that in Bangkok, United’s arrival in Australia did make front page news.
Melbourne’s Herald Sun, Australia’s largest newspaper, carried a picture of United captain Harry Maguire and team-mates Fred and Aaron Wan-Bissaka on the front page, next to the headline “Reds March On”.
Organisers are expecting around 150,000 people to come to watch United’s two games against Melbourne Victory and Palace at the iconic MCG.
