Michael Carrick says Manchester United have an idea of where Donny van de Beek could establish himself in the team but also praised the Dutchman's flexibility.
Van de Beek excelled as a second-half substitute at Watford last week, scoring his first goal in over a year from a deep-lying role and emerging as the sole positive from Ole Gunnar Solskjaer's last match in charge of United.
The 24-year-old was named in the starting XI for Carrick's first match as manager against Villarreal at the expense of playmaker Bruno Fernandes but Van de Beek was substituted for the Portuguese with the game goalless and United went on to win 2-0.
Solskjaer refused to drop Fernandes and trial Van de Beek as a No.10 and started him only four times in the Premier League. Carrick believes Van de Beek could also occupy a 'false nine' role for United, if need be.
"Donny's one of those players [that] because he's so flexible, he can play in different positions," Carrick said. "He did the same for Ajax before he came here, he's done that for Holland as well, variety can be a real strength.
"We've got ideas where we think Donny's most suited but he's so flexible and adaptable, with two or three positions, he even played as a false nine for Ajax in the Champions League when they ended up getting beaten by Tottenham.
"We've got ideas for him but being flexible is a strength and a credit to what he can bring to the team."
Van de Beek has only started three times for United this season and has failed to make any of Netherlands coach Louis van Gaal's three squads.
