Manchester United have the perfect chance to keep their promise for Donny van de Beek - with Bruno Fernandes suspended for the upcoming Premier League fixture vs Aston Villa.
Fernandes, 28, will miss the trip to Villa Park on Sunday afternoon (2pm) after picking up his fifth yellow card of the season when United overcame West Ham. Marcus Rashford scored the winner in that game as Fernandes was given a caution in the dying embers at Old Trafford.
It means Erik ten Hag will be without his first-choice number 10 - but does that mean Van de Beek will finally get a chance to underline his credentials? His lack of minutes since moving to the club from Ajax two summers ago have been well-documented, while the Dutchman has only just recovered from an injury setback.
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Van de Beek has totted-up 30 minutes in four cameo appearances this season. But while the 25-year-old is edging closer to a first start of the campaign, Fred and Scott McTominay are, seemingly, ahead of him in the pecking order with Casemiro and Christian Eriksen nailed on to continue in the starting XI.
Ten Hag must decide whether or not to reshuffle in the engine room to accommodate his enforced change. But he does have a familiar option to call upon in what would be a straight swap for Fernandes.
When asked to name Van de Beek's best position shortly after his Old Trafford appointment, Ten Hag said: "He can do both [sit deep and play high] and 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.
"He has a really good smell for being in the right position."
It means United can go like-for-like without Fernandes on Sunday afternoon. However, while Van de Beek has also been promised chances, an early-season injury has seen the former Ajax man play catch-up on his fitness after being handed minutes against FC Sheriff in the Europa League - albeit in an unfamiliar position out wide.
Speaking last month, Ten Hag added: "He has to be fit. Obviously, that's his disadvantage.
"He's now for two-and-a-half years here. He had a pre-season that was quite okay and his chances will come.
"If you are not available, you can't get a place. Now, he has to make sure he gets fit and fights for his position."
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