Highlights of Donny van de Beek playing under Erik ten Hag at Ajax have emerged ahead of the duo's summer reunion at Manchester United.
United confirmed ten Hag as their new manager on Thursday and he'll take take over at the end of this season.
Advert
Van de Beek joined the Red Devils from Ajax in 2020 after impressing under ten Hag but he's had a tough time of it at Old Trafford, with the 25-year-old currently on loan at Everton in search of playing time.
There's no denying his talents however and he worked under ten Hag for three years in Amsterdam, establishing himself as one of the world's hottest midfield prospects.
A video from @ItsCheaq analyses all facets of van de Beek's game, including what he does without the ball as well as with it.
Advert
The Netherlands international is a brilliant reader of the game and identifies space behind defenders.
He's much more suited to playing further up the pitch, arriving late into the box and making blind side runs.
Without the ball he makes overlapping runs to free up room for his teammates, with Ajax's main forward during his time there being Dusan Tadic.
Van de Beek was part of the Ajax side who reached the Champions League semi-finals in 2019, taking the scalps of Real Madrid and Juventus in the process.
Advert
Ten Hag is expected to change United's style in a dramatic way and one of his former charges will be keen in implementing that.
Fans have reacted to the footage and they're hoping ten Hag can get the best out of van de Beek.
One commented: "I swear the Donny/ten Hag linkup is a big factor in helping me get through Pogba's departure."
Advert
Another said: "Can't wait man he has the proper mentality as well."
A third tweeted: "He tears the defence apart in that last clip man."
While someone put: "Still one of the most intelligent players I've ever seen."
It's believed ten Hag sees van de Beek as worthy of a second chance and he discussed his struggles in England late last year.
Advert
When discussing young players leaving Ajax, ten Hag told De Volkskrant: "Take Donny. I find that hard, a mortal sin.
"If you haven’t had a chance yet, then development will also stall."
United slipped to a 3-1 defeat to Arsenal on Saturday and their chances of qualifying for next season's Champions League are looking bleak.
They return to action on Thursday evening against Chelsea.
Topics: Manchester United, Donny van de Beek, Erik Ten Hag, Premier League, Ajax