Ralf Rangnick may well regret loaning out Donny van de Beek following Michael Carrick 's comments on the Manchester United outcasts' strengths.
The Netherlands international departed Old Trafford for Everton on a six-month loan deal in January after finding minutes increasingly hard to come by.
The 24-year-old made a mere four Premier League starts for the Red Devils since arriving from Ajax in the summer of 2020, with his final five United league appearances totalling a combined 11 minutes.
Having been denied an exit last summer, Van de Beek was recently granted an opportunity with the Toffees, but the comments of former United coach Carrick hint that Rangnick made come to regret his decision.
Speaking to Premier League Productions regarding Van de Beek, Carrick stated: “He’s so versatile as well. He has got different strengths.
"He has played in a three tonight [against Tottenham ], but I think he is really dangerous in and around the box. He is really clever in and around the box.”
Under both Ole Gunnar Solskjaer and Rangnick, the midfielder struggled for game time and, when call upon, was often used in a variety of positions.
Under Rangnick, Van de Beek often found himself deployed in central midfield as a number six, though he flourished at Ajax as a more advanced number 10.
In recent weeks, United could well have done with an alternative option in attack, having struggled for goals and failed to turn a number of draws into wins.
Since Van de Beek joined Everton, United have drawn 1-1 with both Burnley and Southampton, and recently played out a goalless stalemate at home to Watford.
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In addition, another 1-1 draw against Middlesborough at Old Trafford in the FA Cup subsequently saw the Red Devils crash out on penalties.
Rangnick has lacked a creator capable of doing damage in and around the opposition penalty box in recent weeks, and it appears he's loaned out one player who would have been perfect for the role.
Speaking on Rio Ferdinand ’s Vibe with Five podcast earlier in the campaign, the Dutchman himself opened up on his best position and echoed Carrick's claims about his own versatility.
“I think I can do [play as a six] but, of course, I don't know what the manager thinks or what he expects from me," Van de Beek declared. "I've played in this role before with Ajax.
"Of course, at the end I was playing number ten, but I also played a few games number six. I can play this role.
"That's really difficult to say [what my best position is]. That depends on how you play as a team.
"For how we play, I think the best position for me is a number six or eight.”
United's loss is Everton's gain however, and Frank Lampard will be hoping Van de Beek can send a message to Rangnick while helping the Toffees in their desperate battle to avoid the Premier League drop.
