Berbatov on Van de Beek
Former United striker Dimitar Berbatov thinks that Donny van de Beek should take up a new role in a new-look midfield.
The 23-year-old’s move to Old Trafford has led to several question marks over how United could line up and Berbatov believes he could thrive in a deeper-lying role with Bruno Fernandes and Paul Pogba further forward.
Berbatov told the MEN: “I think that should be, even though it's a bit soon, that should be the favourite three in the middle of the park.
"Van de Beek in front of the defence and then you have Pogba and Fernandes. That would be a great, great midfield to watch.
"I never hid that I like McTominay as well. I'd like to see him go back into the team because he is a young boy, he has great games as well, I'd like him to develop and become better and better.”
United's team against Villa in pre-season friendly
United were without a host of players for their only pre-season friendly at Aston Villa today.
A leaked team surfaced online after the game kicked off at 2pm and was widely reported as fact by certain outlets but was actually inaccurate.
Donny van de Beek made his first United outing and Dean Henderson came in for his maiden appearance for the United first-team in the absence of David de Gea, who was not even on the bench.
Full United team vs Villa: Henderson, Dalot, Fosu-Mensah, Maguire, Shaw, McTominay, Van de Beek, Rashford, Lingard, James, Ighalo
Subs: Grant, Williams, Garner, Mengi, Galbraith, Elanga
Follow our coverage of the match here.
Solskjaer provides transfer update
Ole Gunnar Solskjaer has provided another transfer update as the club look to make more signings before next month’s deadline.
Van de Beek currently stands as the only permanent signing in this window with Odion Ighalo also extending his loan spell at Old Trafford.
However, Solskjaer has downplayed any expectations of the club signing big names before the October 5 deadline.
The United boss said: “It’s been a strange time and a strange world.
"Financially, I’m sure loads of clubs have suffered. It looks like it as there has not been a lot of activity in the window.
"We’re always looking to improve the squad, scouting players and, if something fits, both the financial bit and the football bit, of course we’ll try to make some business.”
