Erik picks out Donny's key strength

Every pre-season game - including Melbourne Victory (11:05 BST Friday 15 July) - will be shown live on MUTV, now available in our app and on ManUtd.com.

Erik ten Hag has outlined where he feels Donny van de Beek's best position is.

The Dutchmen have been reunited at Old Trafford this summer, with Erik of course having been Donny's manager at Ajax between 2017 and 2020, prior to the midfielder's transfer.

Van de Beek spent the second half of 2021/22 on loan with Everton, but has been working hard under the new boss in pre-season and was named in United's travelling squad for Tour 2022 to Thailand and Australia last week.

With Nemanja Matic, Paul Pogba, Jesse Lingard and Juan Mata all departing over the summer, there are opportunities in the Reds' midfield and Erik was asked by a journalist whether he saw him as a deeper sitter or a more attacking midfielder.

"He can do both. I know that from the past,” Ten Hag said at his press conference in Melbourne, prior to the match against A-League side Victory.

“But his best position, his best capability is in the box of the opponent.

“Playing short behind the striker, he has a really good smell of being in the right position.”

Donny played the second half of Tuesday's 4-0 win over Liverpool in Bangkok, in a more advanced position ahead of youngsters Charlie Savage and Zidane Iqbal.

He'll be hoping to feature from the start in our second game of Tour 2022, which you can watch live on MUTV...

HOW TO WATCH UNITED V MELBOURNE VICTORY

MUTV is the only place to watch Friday’s match in Australia LIVE, with coverage starting an hour ahead of the 11:05 BST kick-off*.

MUTV, United App and ManUtd.com viewers will also have access to the short and extended match highlights before anyone else, as well as the full match replay. So what are you waiting for? Visit MUTV now.

*MUTV live coverage not available in Australia due to domestic broadcast rights.