While Bruno Fernandes has not been contributing the levels of goals and assists that he was when he first joined Manchester United, he has still been a key part of Erik ten Hag's plans this season. However, against West Ham he received his fifth yellow card of the season ruling him out of the club's next Premier League fixture against Aston Villa.
Therefore Ten Hag needs to find a solution. Unai Emery may have only been Aston Villa manager for a few days but it is almost certain he will adopt a similar approach to the style of football he utilised at Villarreal; a deep compact low block that looks to counter-attack and catch the opponent in transitions.
Therefore a player that can work in tight spaces, find the gaps, and offer an outlet for the United attackers to pass to when the opposition tries to outnumber them would be very useful. So in comes Donny van de Beek.
