Jaap Stam has criticised former club Manchester United for misusing Donny van de Beek, who joined Everton on loan in a deadline-day transfer.
The Red Devils fan favourite believes Van de Beek should have been used further forward by managers Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Ralf Rangnick, having started just four Premier League matches since his £35million move to Old Trafford in August 2020.
"Donny has qualities that fit in perfectly with Ajax and the Eredivisie, but he could not adapt to United's style of play," Stam told Dutch outlet De Telegraaf.
"I hope he will be able to get minutes under his belt at Everton and that his qualities will be used properly."
Join the debate! Should Van de Beek have left Man Utd on a permanent transfer? Give us your verdict here.
The ex-United defender - who won the famous treble in 1999 alongside Solskjaer - then took aim at the position Van de Beek was played in, having often been used in a deeper role compared to his days in the Netherlands.
Stam added: "United would certainly not have performed less effectively if they had fielded two holding midfielders, allowing Van de Beek to play higher up the pitch and be of importance in the build-up of attacks, along with Scott McTominay and behind Bruno Fernandes.
"Luck plays its part but Donny always shows a great work ethic, runs many miles a game and is comfortable on the ball.
"He can be influential in switching play and has the capacity to succeed as a box-to-box player but he was never able to operate in that position."
After agreeing to cover the midfielder's full wages and pay a £500,000 loan fee, Everton will now enjoy having Van de Beek in their side and he will be managed by newly-appointed boss Frank Lampard, something which excites the 24-year-old.
Speaking to Everton's website, Van de Beek explained: "I had a really positive meeting with the new coach. We have the same ideas about football and he had a lot of influence on my decision.
"I played against him when I was at Ajax, and he was at Chelsea [as manager], so he knows me as a player. He thinks I have qualities that can help the team.
"I can learn a lot from him because he was a little bit in the same position – a midfield player who scored a lot of goals.
"He can help me a lot, so I think I'm in a good spot. I want to improve with Everton. There are always things that can be better and I work hard every day to do that."
The new Toffees recruit added: "I want to show my qualities, my strengths, to the people in England – but especially the fans from Everton.
"The most important thing is we win games and go up the table.
"We have good players in the team and the talent and ability to go up in the league. But, for that, we need to work hard and I want to be part of this.
"Everton is a big club, with big players, the history and amazing fans. The Club has everything to go up and be higher in the table.
"I played at Goodison twice last season without fans… it will be lovely to see the stadium full.
"It's difficult I cannot play on Saturday but I will be there to see the game and focus on the next match.
"I'm fit. I train a lot for myself and I was training a lot with the team at United. I have a few days to train fully and I’m sure I’ll be there [ready for Newcastle ]."
