Erik ten Hag has told Donny van de Beek he has to prove himself at Manchester United and that their previous relationship at Ajax now counts for nothing.
The midfielder has had a disappointing two years since a £40million move to Old Trafford, starting just four Premier League games in that time and spending the second half of last season on loan at Everton.
He was cast aside by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer not long after he'd signed for the club and then made no impact under Ralf Rangnick either, but there are vacancies in the United midfield following the departures of Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata.
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The arrival of Ten Hag has also been billed as encouraging for Van de Beek. The midfielder shone under his countryman at Ajax, playing a pivotal role in the side that came within seconds of the Champions League final in 2018/19.
He spent one more year in Amsterdam but has struggled to replicate his Ajax form at United. There was encouragement in a 45-minute run-out against Crystal Palace on Tuesday, but Ten Hag has told Van de Beek that the onus is on him if he's to salvage his career at the club.
"It's the same for every player, he has to do it by himself," said Ten Hag. "Me as a manager and the coaching staff around him can do everything to set the right conditions so he can perform but in the end the player has to do it by himself.
"They have to take responsibility for their performance. Donny has the capability. I have seen it but he has to prove himself."
During United's stay in Melbourne, Ten Hag suggested Van de Beek's best position was getting closer to the opposition box as a more advanced midfielder.
He can operate in a deeper role - and played in that position when replacing Scott McTominay in Melbourne on Tuesday - but Van de Beek also sees his strengths better utilised in a more attacking position, which could lead to competition with Bruno Fernandes and Christian Eriksen.
"It depends how we play, I can play as a 10, but also an 8. One of my strengths is to come in the box, make a goal or give an assist, but I like to be on the ball as well, I have to play where the team needs me," he said.
Ten Hag gave Van de Beek his first sustained run in the side during his time at Ajax manager, where the 52-year-old earned a reputation as an intense coach.
That has already become clear to United's players during a demanding pre-season tour and Van de Beek insists the manager hasn't changed his approach at all.
"He’s still the same, he will not change as a manager. I see a lot of the same things as at Ajax, I think he can help the team a lot," he said.
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