Manchester United boss Erik ten Hag is considering picking Donny van de Beek to start against Liverpool on Monday.
That’s according to the Manchester Evening News. They claim that ten Hag is expected to make ‘wholesale changes’ for Liverpool’s visit to Old Trafford.
van de Beek was reportedly seen warming up with Scott McTominay, in an indication that both could play against The Reds.
Christian Eriksen and Fred struggled last time out as United were humiliated by Brentford. As a result, ten Hag could reportedly turn to van de Beek and McTominay to freshen things up.
van de Beek out to prove a point against Liverpool
Liverpool shouldn’t need to focus too much on who ten Hag decides to play on Monday. With United in disarray yet again, The Reds need to make sure they’re at it themselves.
If they are, three vital points should be coming back to Anfield.
Nevertheless, van de Beek’s inclusion would be interesting. The 25-year-old, who is reportedly earning £100k-a-week, didn’t start a single Premier League game for United last season.
Admittedly, that encompassed just half a season. van de Beek left for Liverpool’s city rivals Everton in January, where he played a pretty meagre seven times.
Still, the Dutchman was consistently overlooked by Ole Gunnar Solskjaer, Ralf Rangnick and even Frank Lampard. It would be a big show of faith from ten Hag, but he simply has to try something.
For Liverpool, it doesn’t matter too much who’s on the teamsheet for United. The Reds are depleted themselves in midfield. Perhaps they might manage better against a rather more battle-worn partnership for United, though.
Instead, van de Beek will have a point to prove. Having spent time at Everton as well as United, he’ll be more determined than anyone to get one over on Liverpool.
He has quality and it’s a surprise that it hasn’t gone to plan for him at Old Trafford, or indeed at Goodison. Should he start, Liverpool would need to be wary of his threat.
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