Despite the appointment of former Ajax manager Erik ten Hag, who has issued him a new demand, the Dutch midfielder has been limited to game time once again this season.
Manchester United can get back on track in the Premier League when they play Everton on Sunday, after suffering another setback in the Manchester derby last week.
Donny van de Beek is one player who will be looking to establish himself in the first team, though Red Devils manager Erik ten Hag has issued him with a new demand. Elsewhere, the United manager wants to see a more “nasty” streak from his players, and the match against Chelsea has finally been scheduled.
Donny van de Beek issued a fresh demand
United boss Ten Hag has urged Van de Beek to ensure he is in a position to start staking a claim for regular football after missing a recent run of matches with a fresh injury.
It was expected that Ten Hag would hand a lifeline to Van De Beek following his appointment in the summer, but the playmaker has featured for just 19 minutes this term, despite flourishing under his compatriot while the pair were at Ajax.
Now, however, Ten Hag has claimed that it is down to Van De Beek to ensure he is fit and ready to take advantage of his chances. Speaking on Friday, he said: “When he came on against Brighton as a sub he did very well but you have to be available. And if you are not available you cannot get a place in the first XI and so now he has to make sure he gets fit and fights for his position.”
Ten Hag searching for a “nasty streak”
Ten Hag has called on his Man United players to become more “nasty” and adopt a streetwise attitude ahead of the rest of the season.
However, the manager also wants the Red Devils to play with more edge but wants them to be smarter with it, after complaining they have picked up too many bookings so far this campaign. Ahead of Sunday’s clash with Everton, the Dutchman revealed his new demands of his players.
He said: “I know nasty, I know what it is. In that manner we can progress sometimes – also play a little bit smarter. Like we have too many bookings. Some, at the start of the Premier League, play tough, but I wonder why we collect so many bookings and I don’t understand. Like the first booking against Manchester City last Sunday, I really don’t understand.”
Chelsea fixture gave kick-off time
Man United’s Premier League trip to Chelsea on October 22 has finally been given a long-awaited kick-off time, with the match now scheduled to take place at 5.30 pm.
The Premier League have confirmed the kick-off time, although at a cost for United, who have seen their away ticket allocation reduced from 2,994 to 2,370 as a result of Metropolitan Police demands.
The policing authority had wanted to reduce United’s allocation to 1,500, but a compromise figure was reached after negotiations between all three parties. However, United must now decide how to deal with the 600-plus supporters who will no longer be able to attend the game.
