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Manchester Evening News
Manchester Evening News
Sport
Liam Wood

Paul Scholes makes Donny van de Beek admission and highlights weakness of Manchester United star

Paul Scholes says the jury is still out on Donny van de Beek after the Dutchman was afforded a rare start for Manchester United against Real Sociedad on Thursday night.

After recovering from an injury setback, former Ajax player Van de Beek was named in the United starting XI for the first time by Erik ten Hag. He had only played a combined total of 30 minutes this season prior to the trip to Spain.

Van de Beek signed for United in 2020 and his lack of opportunities at Old Trafford have been well-documented. However, the 25-year-old was finally given his chance in United's final Europa League group stage game of the season.

READ MORE: Ten Hag warned about massive job

Scholes admitted prior to kick-off that he hadn't seen enough of the Dutchman to have an opinion on him, but did add that United shouldn't rely on him to provide "legs" on the wing. Scholes told BT Sport: " I don't really know that much about him to have an opinion on him. It's a big chance for him - and I don't think him or [Bruno] Fernandes will like playing from the right.

"You need legs for that position and I don't think that's Donny's strong point. But he has real quality and that's why he is in the team."

Aside from his injury struggles, one of the other reasons Van de Beek has been unable to make his mark in the United squad this season has been the form of Bruno Fernandes, Christian Eriksen and Casemiro.

Ten Hag signed the latter for £60million this summer and he now looks to be one of the first names on the teamsheet. Eriksen also looks to be a key part of Ten Hag's plans moving forward, while Fernandes has worn the captain's armband in the absence of Harry Maguire.

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