Erik ten Hag admits there could come a point where Manchester United have to accept it has not worked with Donny van de Beek but has insisted he still has faith he can do better.
Van de Beek made his first start for United since December 8 in the 1-0 Europa League win over Real Sociedad but he only lasted 58 minutes.
The 25-year-old recently returned from a seven-week lay-off with a muscular injury and his role behind Cristiano Ronaldo in San Sebastian appeared to be a trial ahead of potentially replacing the suspended Bruno Fernandes at Aston Villa on Sunday.
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Van de Beek, signed from Ajax for a fee rising to £40million in September 2020, has not started a meaningful Premier League game for United since December 5 and that wait seems certain to be prolonged beyond Sunday.
When asked if there comes a point where United have to accept it's not worked with Van de Beek, Ten Hag replied: "Yes, but that can't be now.
"Because he had quite a good pre-season, he was injured, now he is back, last week he came (against FC Sheriff) and I think he played very well, 50 minutes, and I think today was a decent performance.
"I know he can do better because I know (him) very well, but he delivered what I expected in terms of positioning and also pressing, in terms of transition. But I think he can do more and that's his biggest quality - he can be more of a threat to an opponent's goal.
"I don't know (why he has struggled). I can only talk about my time here. In my time here, he is performing well in the game-time we gave him."
Van de Beek joined Everton on loan in January, having wanted to join the club last summer amid a lack of opportunities under former United manager Ole Gunnar Solskjaer.
The Dutchman has scored two goals in 55 United appearances, 20 as a starter.
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